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Nubiyan Twist

Find Your Flame

    9-piece powerhouse Nubiyan Twist embark on a fresh musical odyssey with their vibrant fourth album 'Find Your Flame’. Over 12-track the band seamlessly weaves together global grooves, soul and jazz; expertly intertwined with electronic elements, horn-led melodies and spontaneous improvisation. The album marks a significant evolution for the group as they welcome Sheffield based vocalist Aziza Jaye to the forefront, adding a fresh dimension of Patois and RnB to their sound.

    The heady, sun-drenched release is peppered with impressive collaborations, including musical legends Nile Rodgers and Seun Kuti who bring their trademark disco and afrobeat mastery to tracks ‘Lights Out’ and ‘Carry Me’ respectively.

    Embracing the roots of UK sound system culture, ‘Find Your Flame’ takes dynamic turns, from the frenetic broken beat of the title track to reflective lyricism and lo-fi beats in 'Reach My Soul' and ‘Battle Isn’t Over’. Nubiyan Twist venture into grime and hip hop territory with 'Woman' and 'Pray for Me (Part 1)' featuring rising UK-based MC NEONE the Wonderer. The exploration continues into highlife and soukous with 'Pray for Me (Part 2)' featuring long-time Ghanaiancollaborator K.O.G. and neo-soul with the sensual vocals of Ria Moran. The exceptional Corto Alto from Glasgow features on 'You Don't Know Me’. ‘Find Your Flame’ culminates in a sublime collaboration with ex-Salif Keïta backing singer Mamani Keïta, paying homage to traditional Malian music and the roots of the genres elegantly woven throughout the album.

    “As with the creation of all our albums, it’s a snapshot of our collective influences and journeys throughout the time it was made.” Explains bandleader & producer Tom Excell. “A catharsis for our struggles, yet a vessel for our joy. Navigating through COVID, the magic of becoming a new parent, undergoing a vital leg amputation, recovering from car accidents, losing loved ones and forming new friendships have all shaped this music. But most importantly, the collaborative process helped reignite a liberating fire of resistance in each of us.” Gaining international acclaim, 'Find Your Flame' is poised to enhance Nubiyan Twist's global appeal, firmly establishing them as a prominent soulful collective in the UK music scene. Produced by Tom Excell and mixed by Oli Barton Wood and Paulo Germano, the album features artwork by Max Bloom and is mastered by Peter Beckmann. The band is scheduled to embark on a European tour starting in April 2024.

    TRACK LISTING

    1. Battle Isn’t Over
    2. Lights Out (Ft. Nile Rodgers)
    3. All The Same (Ft. Ria Moran)
    4. Woman
    5. You Don’t Know Me (Ft. Corto Alto)
    6. Carry Me (Ft. Seun Kuti)
    7. So Mi Stay
    8. Pray For Me Part 1 (Ft. NEONE The Wonderer)
    9. Pray For Me Part 2 (Ft. K.O.G)
    10. Reach My Soul
    11. Find Your Flame
    12. Slow Breath (Ft. Mamani Keïta)

    Nubiyan Twist

    Freedom Fables - 2024 Repress

      Woven around soul searching, cautionary tales and parables for modern life, the new album is the most accomplished yet by the Leeds / London collective, effortlessly fusing different soul, jazz and global styles with great musicianship and lyrics. “Freedom Fables reflects on the power of narratives. Each vocalist on this record explores their own memoirs, a freedom of expression underpinning our belief that music is the ultimate narrative for unity,” explains Tom Excell. “The record references a lot of music that we all loved during our formative years; you can hear touches of broken beat, blunted hip hop, highlife, Latin, jazz and UK soul running through the tracks.”

      The album is also packed full with illustrious guest appearances: regular collaborator Cherise features on the brilliant ‘Tittle Tattle’, calling out gossip through acerbic nursery rhyming, the loping ‘Flow’ dealing with the ebb and flow of anxiety and the epic Brazilian jazz workout, ‘Keeper’; UK jazz saxman Soweto Kinch brings a burning alto solo and rhymes to the determined ‘Buckle Up’ alongside the band’s own vocalist Nick Richards as the track aims to “find the door to peace” among life’s challenges. “Soweto is a trailblazer of the UK scene both as an alto player and as a rapper with a unique flow and important lyricism,” reflects Tom Excell. “It was really important for us to invite him to contribute to the album.” Richards continues the “dust yourself off and find hope” theme on the rousing ‘Wipe Away Tears’; Ghanaian great Pat Thomas voices a gorgeous Accra meets London highlife jam; massive new vocal talent Ria Moran (a contemporary from the band’s time at Leeds College Of Music) steps up on the sensual ‘Morning Light’ tackling delicate complexities of the heart and long time friend of the band, KOG, brings his trademark full strength Afro dancefloor energy. 


      TRACK LISTING

      A1. Morning Light Feat Ria Moran
      A2. Tittle Tattle Feat Cherise
      A3. Ma Wonka Feat Pat Thomas
      B1. Buckle Up Feat Soweto Kinch
      B2. Keeper Feat Cherise
      C1. If Only Feat Ruby Wood
      C2. 24-7 Feat Ego Ella May
      C3. Flow Feat Cherise
      D1. Wipe Away Tears Feat Nick Richards
      D2. If I Know Feat Kog

      Nubiyan Twist

      Jungle Run - 2024 Repress

        Now one of the leading lights in the UK’s new generation of soulful, genre-fluid artists, the Leeds-born and now London-based 12-piece collective have created their finest recordings to date, effortlessly weaving together elements of jazz, soul, hip hop, African styles, Latin, dub, hip hop and electronics in a flow of thought-provoking and life-affirming music.

        Recorded at the band’s own self-built Henwood Studio in rural Oxfordshire, the album effortlessly moves through different voices from the band’s circle. The inimitable, timeless vocals of Nubiya Brandon lead the way on the album’s title track about breaking preconceptions and promoting equality, “Where you from? I’m from wherever I be.” Saxophonist Nick Richards vocals the killer first single from the album about inner turmoil and a search for the truth, ‘Tell It To Me Slowly’ while rising Ghanaian star K.O.G. appears on the Afro jams ‘Basa Basa’ and ‘They Talk’. Percussionist Pilo Adami (Nina Miranda / Afrosamba) voices the infectious bossa-jazz jam ‘Borders’. The band also draft in two African legends for guest duties with the original Afrobeat maestro Tony Allen on ‘Ghosts’ and Ethio jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke contributing vibes on the sinuous ‘Addis To London’. “The depth of talent and ideas that every member of this group has brought to the table for this album is incredible,” says producer and orchestrator Tom Excell. “Conceptually, ‘Jungle Run’ is all about connecting different people and cultures whilst exploring the journey of individuals. This album is the pinnacle of everything we have done to date and to collaborate with the godfathers of Afrobeat and Ethio Jazz and celebrate their music in a modern context was very humbling.”

        The album is another landmark for a band that has been consistently developing their sound since their formation in 2015 at Leeds College Of Music. ”One of the biggest factors in our sound was the exciting music scene in Leeds,’ explains saxman Joe Henwood. “From a reggae night called ‘Sub Dub’ to venues playing whacked out experimental jazz.” Since then, the band’s self-titled debut album (2015), EP ‘Siren Song’ (2016) and single ‘Dance Inna London’ (2017) have become classics in their own right and their live show has become an essential ticket; previous live highlights have included high profile slots at David Byrne’s Meltdown at the South Bank and Glastonbury West Holts


        TRACK LISTING

        A1. Tell It To Me Slowly Feat. Nick Richards
        A2. Jungle Run Feat. Nubiya Brandon
        B1. Basa Basa Feat. K.O.G.
        B2. Brother Feat. Nubiya Brandon
        C1. Borders Feat. Pilo Adami
        C2. Permission Feat. Nubiya Brandon
        C3. Addis To London Feat. Mulatu Astatke
        D1. Ghosts Feat. Nick Richards
        D2. They Talk Feat. K.O.G.
        D3. Sugar Cane Feat. Nubiya Brandon

        Various Artists

        Disques Debs International Volume One - 2024 Repress

          Strut present the first ever compilation series to access the archives of one of the greatest of all French Caribbean labels, Disques Debs out of Guadeloupe. Set up by the late Henri Debs during the late ‘50s, the label and studio has continued for over 50 years, releasing over 300 7” singles and 200 LPs, covering styles varying from early biguine and bolero to zouk and reggae. Debs played a pivotal role in bringing the créole music of Guadeloupe and Martinique to a wider international audience.

          Volume 1 of this series marks the first decade of the label’s existence and takes in big band orchestras, home-grown stars, touring bands and a new generation that would emerge at the end of the ‘60s. Early releases were recorded in the back of Henri’s shop in Pointe-a-Pitre, from his own sextet playing percussive biguines to young saxophonist Edouard Benoit, leader of Les Maxels and regular arranger for Debs bands. Other artists ranged from big bands like Orchestre Esperanza and Orchestre Caribbean Jazz to poet and radio personality Casimir “Caso” Létang and folkloric gwo ka artist Sydney Leremon. Debs also capitalised on recording foreign touring artists visiting Guadeloupe during the early ‘60s including Haitian trumpeter Raymond Cicault and Trinidadian bandleader Cyril Diaz.


          TRACK LISTING

          A1. Daniel Forestal Et Sa Guitare – Ces P’Tits Je T’Aime
          A2. Casimir Létang – Travail Z’Enfants! Chantez Après!
          A3. Cyril Diaz Et Son Orchestre – Feeling Happy
          A4. Georges Tinedor Et Manuela Pioche – Collié Et Zanno
          A5. Henri Debs Quintet – Douce Kombass
          A6. Joseph Lacides – Mr. Morin
          B1. Geno Exilie – Lan Misè
          B2. Dolor Et Les Diables Du Rythme – Salvana
          B3. Sydney Lérémon Et Ses Amis Du Calvaire Baie- Mahault – You You Matayango
          B4. Raymond Cicault Et Son Orchestre Volcan – À Mon Ami Lucien Jolibois
          B5. Orchestre Esperanza Et Jean Leroy – Ou Pas Bel
          B6. Henri Debs Sextet Et Paul Blamar – Moin Çé On Maléré
          C1. Le Ry- Co Jazz – Si I Bon Di I Bon
          C2. Remy Mondey – Meringue Mondey
          C3. Henri Guedon Et Les Contesta – Van Van
          C4. Les Shupa Shupa D’Haiti – Batterie Shupa
          D1. Paul Blamar Et Vélo – Lovency
          D2. Eric Virgal – Stanislas
          D3. Les Aiglons – Les Aiglons Ka Satisfait
          D4. Tutus De La Guyane – Nanao Nanao
          D5. Guy Conquette – Assez Fait Cancan

          Greg Foat & Gigi Masin

          The Fish Factory Sessions (RSD24 EDITION)

            THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2024 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 20TH ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

            IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8PM ON MONDAY APRIL 22ND.



            Sun Ra

            Inside The Light World: Sun Ra Meets The Ovc (RSD24 EDITION)

              THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2024 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 20TH ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

              IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8PM ON MONDAY APRIL 22ND.






              Nubiyan Twist

              Freedom Fables

              Woven around soul searching, cautionary tales and parables for modern life, the new album is the most accomplished yet by the Leeds / London collective, effortlessly fusing different soul, jazz and global styles with great musicianship and lyrics. “Freedom Fables reflects on the power of narratives. Each vocalist on this record explores their own memoirs, a freedom of expression underpinning our belief that music is the ultimate narrative for unity,” explains Tom Excell. “The record references a lot of music that we all loved during our formative years; you can hear touches of broken beat, blunted hip hop, highlife, Latin, jazz and UK soul running through the tracks.”

              The album is also packed full with illustrious guest appearances: regular collaborator Cherise features on the brilliant ‘Tittle Tattle’, calling out gossip through acerbic nursery rhyming, the loping ‘Flow’ dealing with the ebb and flow of anxiety and the epic Brazilian jazz workout, ‘Keeper’; UK jazz saxman Soweto Kinch brings a burning alto solo and rhymes to the determined ‘Buckle Up’ alongside the band’s own vocalist Nick Richards as the track aims to “find the door to peace” among life’s challenges. “Soweto is a trailblazer of the UK scene both as an alto player and as a rapper with a unique flow and important lyricism,” reflects Tom Excell. “It was really important for us to invite him to contribute to the album.” Richards continues the “dust yourself off and find hope” theme on the rousing ‘Wipe Away Tears’; Ghanaian great Pat Thomas voices a gorgeous Accra meets London highlife jam; massive new vocal talent Ria Moran (a contemporary from the band’s time at Leeds College Of Music) steps up on the sensual ‘Morning Light’ tackling delicate complexities of the heart and long time friend of the band, KOG, brings his trademark full strength Afro dancefloor energy.

              STAFF COMMENTS

              Matt says: Funky in parts, soulful throughout and beaming good vibes and positive attitude, Nubiyan Twist could be that perfect tonic for garden parties and park gatherings once the lockdown rules are lifted.

              TRACK LISTING

              1. Morning Light Feat Ria Moran
              2. Tittle Tattle Feat Cherise
              3. Ma Wonka Feat Pat Thomas
              4. Buckle Up Feat Soweto Kinch
              5. Keeper Feat Cherise
              6. If Only Feat Ruby Wood
              7. 24-7 Feat Ego Ella May
              8. Flow Feat Cherise
              9. Wipe Away Tears Feat Nick Richards
              10. If I Know Feat Kog

              Patrice Rushen

              Remind Me - The Classic Elektra Recordings 1976-1984 - 2024 Repress

                'Remind Me' is the first definitive retrospective of an icon of 1970s and ‘80s soul, jazz and disco, Patrice Rushen, covering her peerless 6-year career with Elektra / Asylum from 1978 to 1984.

                Joining Elektra after three albums with jazz label Prestige, Patrice had shown prodigious talent at an early age and had first broken through after winning a competition to perform at the Monterrey Jazz Festival of 1972. By the time of the recordings on this collection, she had become a prolific and in-demand session musician and arranger on the West coast, appearing on over 80 recordings for other artists. She joined the Elektra / Asylum roster in 1978 as they launched a pop / jazz division alongside visionaries like Donald Byrd and Grover Washington, Jr. “The idea was to create music that was good for commercial radio / R&B,” Patrice explains. “We were all making sophisticated dance music, essentially.”

                Drawing on some of the leading musicians in L.A. like saxophonist Gerald Albright, drummer “Ndugu” Chancler and bassman Freddie Washington and keeping an open minded approach from her training in classical, jazz and soundtrack scores, Patrice’s music was a different, more intricate proposition to many of the soul artists of the time. “L.A. musicians were not so locked into tradition,” she continues. “None of us were accustomed to limitation and the record label left us to take our own direction.”

                Early classics like ‘Music Of The Earth’ and ‘Let’s Sing A Song Of Love’ were among Patrice’s first as a lead vocalist before her ‘Pizzazz’ album landed in 1979, featuring the unique disco of ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and one of her greatest ballads, ‘Settle For My Love’. “Although ballads make you feel more vulnerable as an artist because they are often personal, I think listeners relate to that sincerity,” she reflects. By now, Patrice’s records were supremely arranged and produced as her confidence as an all-round writer, producer, arranger and performer grew. Slick dancefloor anthem ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and the ‘Posh’ album in 1980 led to her landmark album ‘Straight From The Heart’ two years later. Receiving little support from her label, Patrice and her production team personally funded a promo campaign for the first single from it, ‘Forget Me Nots’. It went on to peak at no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album was later Grammy-nominated, while the track became a timeless anthem and popular sample, inspiring Will Smith’s theme for the film ‘Men In Black’ and George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’.

                Patrice’s final album for Elektra, ‘Now’ kept the bar high with sparse, synth-led songs including ‘Feel So Real’ and ‘To Each His Own’. It concluded a golden era creatively for Patrice which remains revered by soul and disco aficionados the world over


                TRACK LISTING

                A1. Music Of The Earth
                A2. Let’s Sing A Song Of Love
                A3. When I Found You
                B1. Haven’t You Heard (12” Version)
                B2. Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up With DJ Rogers
                C1. Forget Me Nots (12” Version)
                C2. Look Up! (Long Version)
                C3. Where There Is Love
                D1. Never Gonna Give You Up (Won’t Let You Be) (Long Version)
                D2. Number One (12” Version)
                E1. All We Need
                E2 Remind Me (LP Version)
                E3. Settle For My Love
                F1. Feels So Real (Won’T Let Go) (12” Version)
                F2. To Each His Own

                Lafayette Afro Rock Band

                Malik - 2024 Remastered Edition

                  Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974. In 1971, an undocumented seven-member Afro-American ensemble known as the Bobby Boyd Congress made a transformative journey from the United States to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recollects, "We sensed that the soul and funk market was saturated back home, and our original plan was a brief 6-month stint in Paris. Surprisingly, we ended up staying for a decade." Upon lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the U.S., the group rebranded as Ice and crossed paths with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, a seasoned studio professional with credits on groundbreaking recordings alongside Charles Mingus, John Lee Hooker, and Archie Shepp, among others.

                  Drawing inspiration from Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. He recalled, "I didn't want to mimic Berry, but with seven talented musicians collaborating daily, something unique emerged. " The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango.

                  Under the new moniker Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group's music transitioned to predominantly instrumental compositions, featuring a denser Afro-funk sound. Their inaugural recording with the new name, 'Soul Makossa, ' included a compelling rendition of Dibango's classic and the impactful break in 'Hihache.' The subsequent release a year later, 'Malik,' refined their sound with the percussive Afro party jam 'Conga, ' the atmospheric vocoder and piano-led piece 'Djungi,' and the robust funk of 'Darkest Light.'

                  Despite a limited impact upon its initial release, 'Malik' found appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the '80s, establishing itself as a rich source of samples and riffs. 'Conga' was featured in the 'Ultimate Breaks And Beats' series, while the opening horn line from 'Darkest Light' became a pivotal hip-hop motif, employed by Jay-Z, Public Enemy, Wreckx 'N' Effect, and many others.

                  This remastered reissue, the first of its kind, meticulously crafted by The Carvery from the original tapes, showcases the album in its entirety and includes the full original artwork.

                  TRACK LISTING

                  A1. Djungi
                  A2. Raff
                  A3. Conga
                  A4. Avi-vo
                  B1. Malik
                  B2. Darkest Light
                  B3. Baba Hya

                  Lafayette Afro Rock Band

                  Soul Makossa - 2024 Remastered Edition

                    Strut proudly presents the first official remastered reissue of the funk/Afro classic, Lafayette Afro Rock Band's 'Soul Makossa' from 1973. In 1971, an undocumented seven-member Afro-American ensemble known as the Bobby Boyd Congress made a transformative journey from the United States to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recollects,"We sensed that the soul and funk market was saturated back home, and our original plan was a brief 6-month stint in Paris. Surprisingly, we ended up staying for a decade." Upon lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the U.S., the group rebranded as Ice and crossed paths with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, a seasoned studio professional with credits on groundbreaking recordings alongside Charles Mingus, John Lee Hooker, and Archie Shepp, among others.

                    Drawing inspiration from Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. He recalled, "I didn't want to mimic Berry, but with seven talented musicians collaborating daily, something unique emerged." The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango.

                    Rechristening themselves Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group's musical direction shifted towards predominantly instrumental compositions, characterized by a weightier, more intricate Afro-funk sound. Their debut recording under this new moniker, 'Soul Makossa,' made a powerful impact with a dynamic rendition of Dibango's classic, coupled with the intense break of 'Hihache' and the contagious 'Nicky.' Initially released by Musidisc in France and later in the U.S. via Editions Makossa, the album omitted the title track due to publishing clearance issues.

                    Despite modest sales upon its initial release, the album's enduring influence became evident as hip-hop culture surged in the '80s, establishing it as a primary source for samples and riffs. The iconic 'Hihache' break found fame in Biz Markie's 'Nobody Beats The Biz,' and tracks from the album were lifted by LL Cool J, The Beatnuts, Kruder & Dorfmeister, and numerous others.

                    This remastered reissue, the first of its kind, meticulously crafted by The Carvery from the original tapes, showcases the album in its entirety and includes the full original artwork.

                    TRACK LISTING

                    A1. Soul Makossa
                    A2. Azeta
                    A3. Oglenon
                    B1. Voodounon
                    B2. Hihache
                    B3. Nicky

                    Various Artists

                    Disco Not Disco - 25th Anniversary Edition

                      ‘Disco Not Disco’ was a perfectly timed compilation back in 2000. Released when interest in the myths, history and playlists of original New York clubs like Paradise Garage and The Loft was at its peak, the album drew on the outer limits of leftfield disco championed by Levan and Mancuso, bringing together unlikely dancefloor anthems by rock acts like Yoko Ono and Ian Dury, obscurities from cottage labels like BC and Splash and selected oddities from the unique mind of avant-garde hero, Arthur Russell. It was essentially a celebration of the sonic melting pot in New York during the early ‘80s, an era when punk had burnt itself out and disco had become commercial and saccharine; in its place, the post-punk movement threw up brilliant oddities which tore up the accepted rulebook. Since its release, the compilation title has become a by-word for a whole genre of music and remains a landmark collection of its time. This new pressing is a welcome return for an essential celebration of disco’s difficult cousins.

                      TRACK LISTING

                      1. Yoko Ono – Walking On Thin Ice (1981 Re-edit)
                      2. Liquid Liquid – Cavern
                      3. Loose Joints – Tell You (Today) (Vocal)
                      4. Ian Dury & The Seven Seas Players – Spasticus Autisticus (Version)
                      5. Material – Over And Over
                      6. Was (Not Was) – Wheel Me Out
                      7. Dinosaur – Kiss Me Again (Original Edit)
                      8. Don Cherry – I Walk
                      9. Common Sense – Voices Inside My Head
                      10. Nicky Siano - Move
                      11. Indian Ocean – School Bell / Tree House

                      Various Artists

                      Mehmet Aslan Pres. Senza Decoro: Liebe + Anarchia / Switzerland 1980-1990

                        A new compilation explores the far reaches of the post-punk, experimental and electronic landscape in Switzerland on Senza Decoro: Liebe & Anarchia in Switzerland 1980-1990 curated by producer / DJ Mehmet Aslan.

                        During the mid-‘70s, Switzerland had embraced punk within its cities, informing the subsequent post-punk era of the 1980s as music splintered into freeform musical strands across the whole of the country. It was to become one of the most innovative periods in Switzerland’s modern day music history.

                        “It was like a wild laboratory for all forms of new and strange sounds, rackets and compositional experiments,” explains writer Lurker Grand, “accompanied and inspired by cutting-edge developments in electronic musical instruments. A broad, innovative scene developed and the four different language and cultural regions of Switzerland were no longer perceived to be an obstacle. There was a curiosity for the foreign and the strange. Conflicts for freedom and free spaces took place and this was reflected in the music.”

                        It was unfiltered creativity and this free, non-commercial approach is a common denominator for the songs on this compilation. Many artists operated in their own universe; hardly any of the acts on this album actually met each other at the time. Only Liliput from Zürich achieved notable fame, building on the success of their previous incarnation as Kleenex.

                        Although Swiss, some bands were based outside of the country and many brought in international elements to their music. Compiler Mehmet Aslan touches on this aspect; having grown up in Basel with Turkish heritage, he is now based in Berlin. His selection travels deep into obscure musical corners. Grand continues: “Mehmet’s selection is expansive. Christian Pfluger from Die Welttraumforscher sings about moon folklore, JürgNutz about a labyrinth, while Dr. Chattanooga & The Navarones found inspiration through African marabout business cards.”

                        Released as a gatefold LP and digipak CD, Senza Decoro includes two exclusive edits by Mehmet Aslan. Both formats feature in-depth sleeve notes and band interviews curated by Lurker Grand alongside rare photos and original sleeve artwork. The compilation is mastered and cut by The Carvery. Compilation and artwork courtesy of Mehmet Aslan.



                        STAFF COMMENTS

                        Barry says: Aaaah, Strut. You know where you are with Strut don't you? It's no surprise that if anyone is going to create a compilation of 70's experimental Swiss electronica, post-punk, and minimal wave then you really want them on the case. A brilliant, intoxicating oddity.

                        TRACK LISTING

                        1. Dr. Chattanooga & The Navarones – KabylMarabù
                        2. Mittageisen - Anfang
                        3. Elephant Château – WirFangenMit Arbeit An
                        4. UnknownmiX – Nightmare
                        5. Aboriginal Voices – Le Jour L’Ennui
                        6. Café Türk – Söyledir
                        7. Lilliput – Boat-song
                        8. Bells Of Kyoto – Asho II
                        9. SchamanenCircel – Arbeiter (The Worker)
                        10. El Deux - Gletscher (Mehmet Aslan Edit)
                        11. KonX - …Basic Ground Without Voice… (Mehmet Aslan Edit)
                        12. JürgNutz – Labyrinth
                        13. Schaltkreis Wassermann – Arabesque
                        14. Die Welttraumforscher – Mondfolklore
                        15. Christine Scaller – L’Ombre Dorée Du Scarabée Bleu

                        Lori Vambe

                        Space-Time Dreamtime: The Four-Dimensional Music Of Lori Vambe

                          Occasionally, you find music outside the commercial mainstream, outside of everything – the music of visionaries, eccentrics, inventors, loners, the keepers of secrets, the path-finders. Moondog, Daphne Oram, Harry Partchare from this mould. And so too is Lori Vambe.

                          New on Strut, the first ever reissue of Vambe’s privately pressed original albums from 1982, Drumland Dreamland and Drumgita Solo. A self-taught drummer, inventor, and sonic experimentalist, Lori Vambe is a unique figure in British music. Creator of his own instrument, the drumgita (pronounced ‘drum-guitar’) or string-drum, Vambe intended to create a kind of music that had never been made in order to pursue access to the fourth dimension.

                          Vambe was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and his father, Lawrence Vambe, was a noted Zimbabwean journalist and author. Moving to London in 1959, Vambe immersed himself in the Brixton squat movement of the early 1970s, teaching himself to drum and creating a short-lived performance group, The Healing Drums of Brixton (Vambe, the sculptor Alexander Sokolov and outsider musician Michael O’Shea). Vambe later had a dream-vision involving a feeling of ecstasy while playing an unknown instrument that extended from his own umbilical cord; the instrument would manifest itself as the drumgita. In 1982, he privately produced a pair of home recordings, the diptych set Drumgita Solo and Drumland Dreamland, releasing them on his own label Drumony. On these records, he rejected any commercial aesthetic and employed tape effects, temporal shifts, reversed sound and overdubbing to investigate space-time and access the fourth dimension. Combining layered drums with the rhythmic throb of the drumgita and, on Drumland Dreamland, an improvised piano performance by Brazilian concert pianist Rafael Dos Santos, the albums are both hypnotic and perturbing.

                          Both albums were cut at Portland Studios by Chas Chandler and stand as a concealed monument of Black British experimental music. 500 copies of each record were originally pressed, and both were released together. The albums were never performed live.

                          For this first ever reissue of DrumlandDrumland and Drumgita Solo, Strut presents the two albums in their original artwork, housed in a deluxe slipcase including an additional 8-page 12”-sized booklet featuring unseen photos, liner notes and an interview with Lori Vambe by The Wire magazine writer Francis Gooding. Both albums are fully remastered by The Carvery.


                          TRACK LISTING

                          Drumgita Solo
                          1. Intro
                          2. Drumgita
                          3. Ancient Boogie (Mantra)
                          4. Artnam
                          5. Mantra
                          6. (One) Boogie Home Going
                          7. Going Home Boogie (One)
                          8. Un Minuto (One)
                          9. Un Minuto (Two)
                          10. Going Home Boogie (Two)
                          11. Going Home Boogie (Three)

                          Drumland Dreamland (Part One)
                          1. Drumsong (One)
                          2. Drumsong (Two)
                          3. Drumsong (Three)
                          4. Strumelody
                          5. Drumelody (One)
                          6. Drumelody (Two)
                          7. Ydolemurd
                          8. Hum Drum Dring (One)
                          9. Hum Drum Dring (Two) (The Freedrum Song)

                          Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids

                          Afro Futuristic Dreams

                            Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids are back with their first major new studio album in over 3 years, an epic, sprawling new work exploring the future, the past and the urgent reality of the present, ‘Afro Futuristic Dreams’.

                            Recorded between San Francisco and London and brought together by the genius of Malcolm Catto at his analogue Quatermass Studio, the new recording represents another bold step in Ackamoor’s ever-evolving journey in jazz, adding full, intricate scores including string sections and choral elements to the Pyramids’ trademark spiritual Afro-jazz sound; Driven by the core Pyramids members Ackamoor (sax, keytar, organ), Margaux Simmons (flute), Sandra Poindexter (violin) and Bobby Cobb (guitar), tracks range from hard-hitting commentaries about police brutality (‘Police Dem’) to celebrations of the ancestors and departed loved ones (‘Requiem For The Ancestors’, ‘Re-Memory’) and hazy cosmic journeys, including the album’s title track and the sparkling, experimental closer, ‘Nice It Up’.

                            “This album has been many years in the making,” explains Ackamoor. “Back in late 2020, I set out to compose the first in a series of scores to take The Pyramids sound into brave new territory. All of the tracks involve issues that the core band is passionate about and the recording was a complex process involving many musicians and vocalists across two different time zones.”

                            The recording is the Pyramids’ first new release since the acclaimed ‘Shaman!’ in 2020 and rides a wave of interest in the band around their 50th Anniversary this year. 

                            ‘Afro-Futuristic Dreams’ is mixed by Malcolm Catto and mastered by Peter Beckmann at Technology Works. The superb cover artwork illustration is by David Alabo.

                            All recordings mixed by Malcolm Catto at Quatermass Sound Lab


                            TRACK LISTING

                            1. Afro Futuristic Dreams
                            2. Thank You God
                            3. Police Dem
                            4. First Peoples
                            5. Truth To Power
                            6. Re - Memory
                            7. Garland Rose
                            8. Requiem For The Ancestors
                            9. Nice It Up

                            Greg Foat & Gigi Masin

                            Dolphin

                              Recorded remotely during 2021-2022 the album took shape in the form of mutual compositions, gradually developed and embellished online. Final recording sessions took place at the majestic Chale Abbey Studios on the Isle Of Wight with Moses Boyd (drums), Tom Herbert (bass) and Siobhan Cosgrove (flute, clarinet) adding elements to several pieces. Tracks include the reflective, wistful single ‘VientoCalido’ and drifting ambient piece ‘Sabena’, a beautiful tribute to Gigi’s wife who sadly passed away during 2022.

                              Greg Foat has recorded prolifically in recent years including acclaimed albums Symphonie Pacifique (2020) and The Mage (2019).
                              Best known for his 1986 ambient masterpiece Wind and as a member of Gaussian Curve, Gigi Masin has enjoyed a revival in recent years through his Calypso album on R&S’s Apollo label and renewed touring. Dolphin represents Greg and Gigi’s first landmark recording collaboration together. “I first heard Gigi’s album Wind in 2016,” remembers Greg. “I was living in Miami and I heard it playing one Summer evening. Since then, it has always been in my mind to be able to record together.”

                              "This album is a tribute to the joy of playing together and creating something beautiful and exciting. A sincere hymn to life"(Gigi Masin)


                              STAFF COMMENTS

                              Barry says: Two of the greatest forces in ambient music here, presenting a laid-back suite of shimmering aquatic melodies and deft pad swells, lightened with a deft touch of loungey jazz keys and swimming Balearic groove. Every bit as wonderful as you'd expect from such legendary musicians.

                              TRACK LISTING

                              1 / A1 Lee
                              2 / A2 London Nights
                              3 / A3 Love Theme
                              4 / B1 Dolphin
                              5 / B2 Sabena
                              6 / B3 Leo Theo
                              7 / B4 Viento Calido
                              8. Your Move

                              Malombo Jazz Makers

                              Malombo Jazz Vol. 2

                                Formed in Mamelodi township near Pretoria, the group started out as Malombo Jazz Men with Julian Bahula on malombo drums, Abbey Cindi on flute and Philip Tabane on guitar. Fusing traditional and improvised rhythms with jazz, Malombo became renowned as one of the first South African bands to fully connect jazz with the African traditions. Despite his undoubted genius, Tabane became erratic on tour and Bahula brought in another Mamelodi-based talent, guitarist Lucas “Lucky” Ranku, renaming the band Malombo Jazz Makers. The group played stadiums and festivals and were soon signed to Gallo. Recording at a studio in Pretoria, the trio debuted with the album ‘Malompo Jazz’ in 1966, showcasing the simple, spacious beauty of the Malombo sound and Abbey Cindi’s compositions, with Mahotella Queens’ Hilda Tloubatla on guest vocals. The partner follow-up album ‘Malombo Jazz Makers Vol. 2’ was recorded a year later, continuing the earthy flow of Malombo’s music. The two albums have since been recognised as unique landmarks of South African jazz through popular tracks like ‘Sibathathu’, ‘Jikeleza’ and ‘Emakhaya’. Alongside full original artwork, the albums feature a new interview with Julian Bahula.

                                TRACK LISTING

                                A1. Ngivulele
                                A2. Udondolo
                                A3. Soul Of Africa
                                A4. Jolly Journey
                                A5. Umkhosi
                                A6. Majazana
                                B1. Abbey's Body
                                B2. Vukani
                                B3. Hleziphi
                                B4. Sibathathu
                                B5. Malombi Walk
                                B6. Emoubane

                                Malombo Jazz Makers

                                Malompo Jazz Vol. 1

                                  Formed in Mamelodi township near Pretoria, the group started out as Malombo Jazz Men with Julian Bahula on malombo drums, Abbey Cindi on flute and Philip Tabane on guitar. Fusing traditional and improvised rhythms with jazz, Malombo became renowned as one of the first South African bands to fully connect jazz with the African traditions. Despite his undoubted genius, Tabane became erratic on tour and Bahula brought in another Mamelodi-based talent, guitarist Lucas “Lucky” Ranku, renaming the band Malombo Jazz Makers. The group played stadiums and festivals and were soon signed to Gallo. Recording at a studio in Pretoria, the trio debuted with the album ‘Malompo Jazz’ in 1966, showcasing the simple, spacious beauty of the Malombo sound and Abbey Cindi’s compositions, with Mahotella Queens’ Hilda Tloubatla on guest vocals. The partner follow-up album ‘Malombo Jazz Makers Vol. 2’ was recorded a year later, continuing the earthy flow of Malombo’s music. The two albums have since been recognised as unique landmarks of South African jazz through popular tracks like ‘Sibathathu’, ‘Jikeleza’ and ‘Emakhaya’. Alongside full original artwork, the albums feature a new interview with Julian Bahula.

                                  TRACK LISTING

                                  A1. Abbey's Mood
                                  A2. Lullaby For Angels
                                  A3. Grab This For Me
                                  A4. Emakhaya
                                  A5. Blues After Lunch
                                  A6. Bababelo
                                  B1. Intandane
                                  B2. A Tribute To Birds
                                  B3. Root Of Africa
                                  B4. Vuma Mbari
                                  B5. Lousy Fever
                                  B6. Jikeleza

                                  The Beginning Of The End

                                  The Beginning Of The End - 2023 Reissue

                                    Strut presents the definitive reissues of two all-time classic Caribbean soul and funk albums, The Beginning Of The End’s ‘Funky Nassau’ (1971) and ‘Beginning Of The End’ (1976).

                                    Emerging from Nassau in the Bahamas in 1971, the band was formed around the Munnings brothers (Ray, Leroy and Frank) and the first song they recorded, ‘Funky Nassau’, became a No. 1 Billboard R’n’B hit, selling over a million copies. “We wanted to create something new,” remembers Ray Munnings, “something that was truly Bahamian. We loved funk but wanted to include elements of junkanoo, the indigenous music of The Bahamas.” An album was written within a week and recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami. “We brought in more Bahamian themes, like ‘Monkey Tamarind’, a wild fruit that grows there.”

                                    By the time of their second album in 1976, the band was managed by Don Taylor, also Bob Marley’s manager. “Don took us to Byron Lee’s studio in Jamaica and used Teddy Randazzo (Little Anthony & The Imperials) to direct the sessions,” recalls Munnings. “He gave us more of an uptempo jazz funk sound with Chicago-style horns.” The album led to a run of incredible bad luck. Booked to support Marvin Gaye’s ’What’s Goin’ On’ tour, the US Musicians Union stepped in and ordered a US group to fill the slot. They were then added onto a major Bob Marley tour in 1976 before he injured his foot, cancelling all dates.

                                    These definitive official reissues of ‘Funky Nassau’ and ‘Beginning Of The End’ are remastered by The Carvery from original tapes and feature full length tracks from the studio sessions. Both albums feature a history of the albums and the band by vocalist Ray

                                    Munnings, alongside rare photos. ‘Beginning Of The End’ appears on loudpress 2LP for the first time. 


                                    TRACK LISTING

                                    1. Superwoman
                                    2. Trip To Nowhere
                                    3. Jamaica
                                    4. I’Ve Got The News
                                    5. Falling Apart At The Seams
                                    6. That’S What I Get
                                    7. Bluestrain
                                    8. Jump In The Water
                                    9. Bahamian Boogie

                                    Mulatu Astatke

                                    New York - Addis - London: The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975 - 2023 Repress

                                      Vibraphone and keyboard player, master arranger and bandleader, Mulatu Astatke is one of the all-time greats of Ethiopian music and the creator of his own original music form, Ethio jazz. Through the acclaimed Ethiopiques album series and through featuring on the soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers, his music has belatedly reached a global audience and a new, younger generation of fans. In November of last year, he recorded an inspired new album with London psych jazz band The Heliocentrics for Strut’s ‘Inspiration Information’ studio collaboration series. Now, Strut are proud to present, for the first time anywhere, the definitive Mulatu career retrospective covering his landmark ‘60s and ‘70s recordings.

                                      Mulatu is a true pioneer of African music. He was the first Ethiopian musician of his generation to travel extensively and to record abroad – he studied in the UK in Wales and at Trinity College Of Music in London, cutting his teeth on the buoyant London jazz scene of the early ‘60s. He became the first African student to attend Harvard and he lived and recorded in New York, developing a unique sound that fused Western jazz with traditional Ethiopian melodies.

                                      Tracing the progression of his Ethio jazz experiments with full access to all of the labels for whom he recorded, Mulatu Astatke: New York-Addis-London is the essential Mulatu. Covering his first recordings in the UK during 1965, his groundbreaking fusions for the small Worthy label in New York and his key ‘70s recordings back in Addis on Amha, Phillips and Axum, the album features comprehensive sleeve notes by Miles Cleret, boss of the excellent Soundway Records imprint, and rare, previously unseen photos from Mulatu’s personal archive.

                                      TRACK LISTING

                                      A1. Yèkèrmo Sèw
                                      A2. I Faram Gami I Faram
                                      A3. Shagu
                                      A4. Emnete
                                      A5. Mulatu
                                      B1. Yègelé Tezeta
                                      B2. Asiyo Bellema
                                      B3. Ebo Lala
                                      B4. Fikratchin
                                      B5. Yefikir Tizita
                                      C1. Dèwèl
                                      C2. Yèkatit
                                      C3. Girl From Addis Ababa
                                      C4. Mascaram Setaba
                                      C5. Ené Alantchie Alnorem
                                      D1. Nétsanét
                                      D2. Kasalèfkut Hulu
                                      D3. Wubit
                                      D4. Lanchi Biye
                                      D5. Tezeta

                                      Juju

                                      A Message From Mozambique - 2023 Reissue

                                        The roots of JuJu started in San Francisco after Plunky had met his musical mentor, Zulu musician Ndikho Xaba, helping to form his band Ndikho and The Natives. Three members of The Natives (Plunky, bassist Ken Shabala and vibes / flute player Lon Moshe) then joined Marvin X’s theatrical production The Resurrection Of The Dead, joining local musicians Al-Hammel Rasul (keyboards), Babatunde Lea (percussion) and Jalango Ngoma (timbales).

                                        When the production ended, the six musicians formed Juju. “We had high-energy rehearsals that lasted for hours and, as a band, we became powerful and began gigging around the Bay Area,” remembers Plunky. Although orientated towards Black Nationalism, the band fed off the Bay Area’s culturally diverse communities as Plunky shaped an inclusive worldview based on collective political, social and artistic activities. During this time, the Soledad Brothers case and Angela Davis were prominent and the band supported Professor Davis and the cause. Juju’s music matched the fire of their activism. “As a band, we blew, pounded and stroked our instruments like there was no tomorrow, like our life’s work was wrapped up in each session. We approached our performances like religious rites and the music mesmerised, informed and awakened people.” The band’s first album, a Message from Mozambique, was intentionally political. While the anti-war movement focused on Vietnam, Juju looked towards wars being waged in South Africa, Angola and Mozambique over issues of white supremacy and control of natural resources. A second album, ‘Chapter Two: Nia’ would follow before the birth of Oneness Of Juju during the mid-‘70s. This definitive reissue is fully remastered by The Carvery from the original tapes and features original artwork and a new interview with Juju bandleader James “Plunky” Branch.

                                        TRACK LISTING

                                        A1 Struggle (Home)
                                        A2 Soledad Brothers
                                        B1 Freedom Fighter
                                        B2 Make Your Own Revolution Now
                                        B3 Father Is Back
                                        B4 Nairobi / Chants (Traditional) 

                                        Orlando Julius With The Heliocentrics

                                        Jaiyede Afro - 2023 Reissue

                                          Strut present a limited transparent vinyl pressing of the seminal album by one of the all-time legends of Nigerian music, the late, great Orlando Julius, in a mouth-watering collaboration with London super-group The Heliocentrics, originally released in 2014. Starting with his club residency in Ibadan in the mid 60s, Orlando Julius set the blueprint for a whole generation of Afrobeat and Afro funk stars, going on to play with Louis Armstrong, The Crusaders, Hugh Masekela and Lamont Dozier among others, famously co-composing the classic ‘Going Back To My Roots’ in 1979 whilst based in the USA.

                                          For ‘Jaiyede Afro’, Julius went back to his own roots, revisiting several compositions from his early years which had never previously been recorded.

                                          Recorded at the Heliocentrics’ fully analogue HQ in North London, the band take Orlando’s sound into new, progressive directions, retaining the raw grit of his early work and adding psychedelic touches and adventurous new arrangements. They also contribute live favourite, the James Brown cover ‘In The Middle’ and a series of memorable shorter interludes. 

                                          TRACK LISTING

                                          A1. Buje Buje
                                          A2. Love Thy Neighbour
                                          B1. Aseni
                                          B2. Sangodele
                                          C1. Jaiyede Afro
                                          C2. Omo Oba Blues
                                          C3. In The Middle
                                          D1. Be Counted
                                          D2. Alafia 

                                          Various Artists

                                          Nigeria 70: No Wahala - 2023 Repress

                                            Nigeria 70: No Wahala returns to a fertile heyday in Nigerian music when established styles like highlife and juju became infused with elements of Western jazz, soul and funk in the ‘70s and early ‘80s.

                                            TRACK LISTING

                                            A1 Odeyemi – Oni Suru
                                            A2 Prince Nico Mbarga & Rocafil Jazz – Sickness
                                            A3 Osayomore Joseph & The Creative 7 – Obonogbozu

                                            B1 Felixson Ngasia & The Survivals – Black Precious Colour
                                            B2 Sina Bakare – Africa
                                            B3 Saxon Lee & The Shadows International – Special Secret Of Baby

                                            C1 International Brothers Band – Onuma Dimnobi
                                            C2 Don Bruce & The Angels – Kinuye
                                            C3 Etubom Rex Williams & His Nigerian Artistes – Psychedelic Shoes

                                            D1 Rogana Ottah & His Black Heroes Int. - Let Them Say
                                            D2 Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Titibitis – Iziegbe (Ekassa No. 70)
                                            D3 M.a. Jaiyesimi & His Crescent Bros Band – Mundiya Loju

                                            Sun Ra

                                            Marshall Allen Presents Sun Ra And His Arkestra:In The Orbit Of Ra - 2023 Repress

                                              Strut and Art Yard join forces for a special release to mark what would have been Sun Ra’s 100th birthday with ’In The Orbit Of Ra’, a new collection curated by the longest serving member of the Arkestra and current bandleader, Marshall Allen. Bringing together Ra highlights from over 25 years of music, the album is the first internationally released compilation to provide an introduction to the music of Sun Ra, curated personally by the Arkestra and mastered from the original tapes. With a catalogue of well over a hundred albums, Sun Ra forged his own direction in music from the mid ‘50s until his passing in 1993, injecting space age cosmic philosophy, ancient Egyptian history and lyrical poetry into a unique and freeform jazz sound. His music evolved constantly with relentless rehearsals, live gigging and recording schedules, developing a second?sense chemistry with his fellow Arkestra band members. Together, their emphasis would often be on improvisation and “the moment”, constantly re?interpreting and evolving their sound. Elements of magic and ritual would regularly feature in their performances and would lend the Arkestra a mystical aura.

                                              For this exclusive new collection, Strut join forces with Art Yard to gain access to the inner sanctum of the Arkestra. In addition to the track selection, the release features recollections and contributions from some of the core Arkestra line?up including Marshall Allen, Michael Ray, Knoel Scott and Danny Ray Thompson. For the music, Allen’s selection takes us through the huge variety and intricacy of the Arkestra’s work covering the ‘60s to early ‘80s, from the celestial blues of ‘Spontaneous Simplicity’ and ‘Plutonian Nights’ to the urgent jazz of ‘Rocket Number Nine Take Off For Planet Venus’ and ‘Dance Of The Cosmo Aliens’. The album features an exclusive previously unreleased Sun Ra track from the Art Yard archives, the acoustic ‘Trying To Put The Blame On Me’ recorded live in Rome in 1977, along with a previously unreleased Part 1 of ‘Reflects Motion’ from 1962 and an unheard extended version of ‘Island In The Sun’ from the late ‘60s.

                                              ‘In The Orbit Of Ra’ is released on 2CD and 2LP. Physical formats feature full interview with Marshall Allen along with rare and previously unpublished photos by Val Wilmer.

                                              TRACK LISTING

                                              LP 1
                                              1. Sun Ra And His Myth Science Arkestra – Somewhere In Space
                                              2. Sun Ra & His Solar‐Myth Arkestra – The Lady With The Golden Stockings
                                              3. Sun Ra And His Afro Infinity Arkestra – Somebody Else’s World
                                              4. Sun Ra – Spontaneous Simplicity
                                              5. Sun Ra & His Solar‐Myth Arkestra – Plutonian Nights
                                              6. The Sun Ra Arkestra – Angels And Demons At Play
                                              7. Sun Ra – Island In The Sun
                                              8. Sun Ra – Rocket Number Nine Take Off For Planet Venus
                                              9. Sun Ra – Solar Differentials 

                                              LP2
                                              1. Sun Ra And His Arkestra ‐ Afro Black
                                              2. Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra - Have You Heard The Latest News From Neptune
                                              3. Sun Ra – Dance Of The Cosmo Aliens
                                              4. Sun Ra – Trying To Put The Blame On Me
                                              5. Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra – Planet Earth
                                              6. Sun Ra And His Myth Science Arkestra – The Nile
                                              7. Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra – Reflects Motion
                                              8. Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra – Reflects Motion (part 2)
                                              9. Sun Ra – Ancient Ethiopia 10. Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Interplanetary Music
                                              11. Sun Ra And His Myth Science Arkestra – We Travel The Spaceways  

                                              Vusi Mahlasela, Norman Zulu, Jive Connection

                                              Face To Face - 2023 Reissue

                                                Strut revives a lost recording from the archives in January with a 2002 collaboration between acclaimed South African folk singer Vusi Mahlasela, singer songwriter Norman Zulu and Swedish jazz / soul collective Jive Connection.

                                                The links between South Africa and Sweden have long been strong with Sweden one of the most supportive European nations in the struggle against apartheid; the government helped to fund the ANC for decades and Mandela visited the country on one of his first European stops following his release from prison in 1990.

                                                Sotho folk singer Vusi Mahlasela, dubbed “The Voice” Of South Africa, performed at Mandela’s inauguration in 1994 and has enjoyed his own long relationship with Sweden, regularly embarking on cultural exchanges and forging a strong bond with the Jive Connection band, featuring guitarist / bassist Stefan Bergman and Little Dragon drummer Erik Bodin within its line-up.

                                                Although touring regularly, the collaboration has rarely been documented beyond a lone studio album in 1994. This “lost” recording, discovered in the archives of producer Torsten Larsson, also features songwriter / vocalist Norman Zulu and showcases their natural musical chemistry together. Vusi’s songs have traditionally addressed the struggle for freedom and the need for reconciliation and, here, his lyrics are as powerful as ever, ranging from parables (‘Prodigal Son’) to an unflinching lament on child abuse (‘Faceless People’). Jive Connection vary the soundtrack, bringing in hints of reggae, jazz and post-punk alongside traditional township arrangements.

                                                Face To Face is mastered by The Carvery. Artwork features unseen photos from the album sessions along with full lyrics. Produced in association with Torsten Larsson. 


                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                1. PRODIGAL SON
                                                2. UMZALA
                                                3. FACELESS PEOPLE
                                                4. INKOMO
                                                5. FACE TO FACE
                                                6. THEMBA LAMI
                                                7. INTOMBI YE MBALI
                                                8. PUSH
                                                9. ABANTU ABANGANA BUSO
                                                10. ANASTACIA
                                                11. B4 THULULALELE
                                                12. ROOTS
                                                13. STILL
                                                14. SON OF PRODIGAL SON

                                                Sun Ra

                                                Discipline 27-11 - 2023 Repress

                                                  A bona fide Sun Ra classic, 'Discipline 27-11' was recorded by Impulse! producer Ed Michel in October 1972 at Streeterville Studios in Chicago and involved the largest Arkestra lineup Sun Ra had ever taken into a studio session. The recordings spawned two albums, the celebrated 'Space Is The Place' and 'Discipline 27-11' which would remain its rather mysterious occult twin. Official reissue remastered from the original tapes.

                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                  A1: Pan-Afro
                                                  A2: Discipline
                                                  A3: Neptune
                                                  B1: Discipline 27-II

                                                  Various Artists

                                                  Nigeria 70 - The Definitive LP Edition - 2023 Repress

                                                    Strut present the definitive vinyl edition of 'Nigeria 70'. First released in 2001, the collection inspired a new generation of labels and releases into Afro funk and Afro jazz fusions and helped to introduce the 1970s Lagos scene beyond Fela Kuti's catalogue for a legion of soul, funk and dance music enthusiasts.

                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                    A1 Orlando Julius & His Afro Sounders - Alo Mi Alo (Parts 1 & 2 )
                                                    A2 Segun Bucknor & His Revolution - La La La
                                                    A3 Lijadu Sister - Orere Elejigbo
                                                    B1 Peter King - Shango
                                                    B2 Sahara All Stars Band Jos - Enjoy Yourself
                                                    C1 Fela Anikulapo Kuti & The Africa 70 - Jeun Ko Ku (Chop 'N' Quench)
                                                    C2 Tunji Oyelana & The Benders - Ifa
                                                    C3 Ofo The Black Company - Allah Wakbarr
                                                    D1 The Funkees - Dancing Time
                                                    D2 MonomonoTi - Re Loma Da Nigbehin
                                                    D3 Bala Miller & The Great Music Pyrameeds Of Afrika - Ikon Allah
                                                    E1 Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestroes - Akayan Ekassa
                                                    E2 Shina Williams & His African Percussionists - Agboju Logun
                                                    F1 Gasper Lawal - Kita Kita
                                                    F2 King Sunny Ade & His African Beats - Ja Fun Mi (Instrumental)

                                                    Various Artists

                                                    Nigeria 70 - Lagos Jump - 2023 Repress

                                                      Nigeria 70: Lagos Jump, another essential box of West African dynamite with the emphasis firmly on the dancefloor. From the heavy jazz of Peter King to Bola Johnson’s scratchy Afro funk and the rolling grooves of juju legend Sir Shina Peters, the album captures a rich and unique era in West African music.

                                                      TRACK LISTING

                                                      A1 Bola Johnson & His Easy Life Top Beats - Ezuku Buzo
                                                      A2 Ify Jerry Krusade - Everybody Likes Something Good
                                                      A3 Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars - Yabis
                                                      A4 Olufemi Ajasi & His New Nigerian Bros - Aiye Le
                                                      B1 Ashanti Afrika Jah - Onyame
                                                      B2 Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Melody Maestroes - Dododo (Ekassa No 1)
                                                      B3 Peacocks Guitar Band - Eddie Quansa
                                                      B4 Rex Williams - You Are My Heart
                                                      C1 Peter King - African Dialects
                                                      C2 Cheif Checker - Ire Africa
                                                      C3 Eddie Okwedy - Happy Survival
                                                      D1 Tony Tete Harbor And The Star Heaters Of Nigeria - Tete Muo Bo Muo
                                                      D2 Eric (Showboy) Akaeze And His Royal Ericos - Wetin De Watch Goat, Goat Dey Watcham
                                                      D3 The Immortals - Hot Tears 

                                                      Sun Ra

                                                      Singles - The Definitive 45s Collection - Vol. 1 1952-1961 - 2023 Repress

                                                        Strut present the definitive collection of singles released by Sun Ra across his illustrious career, spanning 1952 to 1991. Released prolifically during the 1950s and more sporadically thereafter, primarily on the Saturn label, the 45s offer one-off meteorites from Ra’s prolific cosmic journey, tracing the development of his forward-thinking “Space-Bop” and his unique take on jazz and blues traditions. The collection is hugely varied, ranging from Ra’s spoken word recitations and his early work with Chicago vocal groups to the different phases of his Arkestra, small group and duet recordings. The singles are also unpredictable vehicles for Ra’s music, combining different tracks from different sessions and occasionally making available music which was recorded many years beforehand.

                                                        As with his LPs, most 45s were only pressed in small runs and have since become extremely rare and sought after. Only a small handful of copies of ‘Love In Outer Space’ b/w ‘Mayan Temple’ and ‘The Blue One’ b/w ‘Orbitration In Blue’ have ever been seen; some have only been discovered in physical form in recent years; some were planned and pencilled but allegedly never made it to vinyl (including ‘Saturn’ and ‘Velvet’ from the Jazz In Silhouette LP) and some appeared as limited one-off magazine singles and posthumous releases, including ‘Hell #1’ aka ‘Out There A Minute’.

                                                        All formats feature fully remastered tracks, rare photos, original 45 artwork, Francis Gooding’s extensive sleeve notes, an interview with Saturn Records founder Alton Abraham by John Corbett and detailed track by track and session notes by Paul Griffiths.

                                                        The set is the most comprehensive collection of Ra’s singles to date. Sleeve note writers Francis Gooding and Paul Griffiths brilliantly illustrate the role of the single within Ra’s career and break down each release with detailed track by track notes. Working with Sun Ra LLC and Sun Ra archivist Michael D. Anderson, Strut has also assembled the best possible master sources for each track.


                                                        TRACK LISTING


                                                        1. Sun Ra – I Am An Instrument
                                                        2. Sun Ra – I Am Strange
                                                        3. The Nu Sounds With Sun Ra – Chicago Usa
                                                        4. The Nu Sounds With Sun Ra – Spaceship Lullaby
                                                        5. The Cosmic Rays With Sun Ra And Arkestra – Daddy’S Gonna Tell You No Lie
                                                        6. The Nu Sounds With Sun Ra And Arkestra – A Foggy Day
                                                        7. Billie Hawkins With Sun-Ra And His Orchestra – I’M Coming Home
                                                        8. Billie Hawkins With Sun-Ra And His Orchestra – Last Call For Love
                                                        9. Sun-Ra And His Arkistra – Soft Talk
                                                        10. Sun-Ra And His Arkistra – Super Blonde
                                                        11. Le Sun-Ra And His Arkistra – Saturn
                                                        12. Le Sun-Ra And His Arkistra – Call For All Demons
                                                        13. Le Sun-Ra And His Arkistra – Demon’S Lullaby
                                                        14. Le Sun-Ra And His Arkistra – Super-Sonic Jazz
                                                        15. Le Sun-Ra & His Arkistra – Medicine For A Nightmare
                                                        16. Le Sun-Ra & His Arkistra – Urnack
                                                        17. The Qualities – It’S Christmas Time
                                                        18. The Qualities – Happy New Year To You!
                                                        19. Yochanan (The Space Age Vocalist) – M Uck M Uck (Matt Matt)
                                                        20. Yochanan (The Space Age Vocalist) – Hot Skillet Momma
                                                        21. The Cosmic Rays With Le Sun Ra And Arkestra – Bye Bye
                                                        22. The Cosmic Rays With Le Sun Ra And Arkestra – Somebody’S In Love
                                                        23. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Hours After
                                                        24. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Great Balls Of Fire
                                                        25. Sun Ra And His Astro Infinity Arkestra – October
                                                        26. Sun Ra And His Astro Infinity Arkestra – Adventur In Space
                                                        27. The Cosmic Rays With Sun Ra And Arkestra – Dreaming
                                                        28. The Cosmic Rays With Sun Ra And Arkestra – Daddy’S Gonna Tell You No Lie
                                                        29. Hattie Randolph With Sun Ra And His Astro Infinity Arkestra – Round Midnight
                                                        30. Hattie Randolph With Sun Ra And His Astro Infinity Arkestra – Back In Your Own Back Yard
                                                        31. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Saturn
                                                        32. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Velvet
                                                        33. Yochanan “A Space Age Vocalist” With Sun Ra And His Arkestra – The Sun One
                                                        34. Yochanan “A Space Age Vocalist” With Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Message To Earthman
                                                        35. Yochanan With Sun Ra And His Arkestra – The Sun Man Speaks
                                                        36. Sun Ra And His Arkestra – Space Loneliness

                                                        Mulatu Astatke

                                                        Mulatu Of Ethiopia - 2023 Reissue

                                                          Strut present the official reissue of a landmark album in the field of African music, Mulatu Astatke’s ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ from 1972. Recorded in New York, the album arrived at a time when Astatke had begun to master the delicate fusion of styles needed to create Ethio jazz. “I left the UK for America and studied at Berklee College in Boston. I learnt the technical aspects of jazz and gained a beautiful understanding of many different types of music. That’s where I got my tools. Berklee really shook me up.”

                                                          Journeying regularly to the Big Apple to play and watch live shows at the Cheetah, the Palladium and the Village Gate, Astatke met producer Gil Snapper on the circuit. “Gil was a nice and very interesting guy. He produced music and worked with all kinds of musicians.” The meeting would lead to a series of albums on Snapper’s Worthy label, Astatke began to hone his sound, infusing funk and Azmari “chik- chikka” rhythms into the mix. Returning to a downtown Manhattan studio with Snapper and working with some of the city’s top young jazz and latin session players, ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ began to take shape. “We rehearsed for 3-4 weeks,” remembers Astatke. “it took them a while to get the right feeling in the music.”

                                                          The resultant album represented the first fully formed document of Astatke’s trademark Ethio jazz sound. It features ‘Kulunmanqueleshi’, ‘Dewel’, and ‘Kasalefku-Hulu’, tracks that Mulatu would return to regularly on singles and in live shows, the Ethio- Latin workout ‘Chifara’ and the self-titled groover ‘Mulatu’ (“I wanted to make a track for.... myself!”).

                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                          A1. Mulatu
                                                          A2. Mascaram Setaba
                                                          A3. Dewel
                                                          B1. Kulunmanqueleshi
                                                          B2. Kasalefkut-hulu
                                                          B3. Munaye
                                                          B4. Chifara

                                                          The Pyramids

                                                          Birth / Speed / Merging

                                                            Strut present 3 separate reissues of the 1970s album trilogy from Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids. As students at Antioch ollege, Ohio, alto saxophonist Idris Ackamoor, flautist Margaux Simmons and bass player Kimathi Asante created three lasting monuments in sound — Lalibela, King of Kings, and Birth / Speed / Merging, a trio of albums produced without any label backing or distribution between 1972 and 1976. Their music is unique among the varied canon of avant-garde and experimental music of 1970s America: high intensity African-styled percussion topped with songs, chants, and horns, laced with African instruments and arranged into long, flowing suites that surge and roll.

                                                            Birth/Speed/Merging was recorded in 1976 after the band's move to San Francisco. The album closes the Pyramids' 70s trilogy and makes more use of studio technology: adding overdubs and other effects, a marked departure from the previous two releases, though at no cost to the urgent message and energy of their earlier works.


                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                            1. Aomawa
                                                            2. Birth / Speed / Merging - Part 1
                                                            3. Birth / Speed / Merging - Part 2
                                                            4. Birth / Speed / Merging - Part 3
                                                            5. Birth / Speed / Merging - Part 4
                                                            6. Reaffirmation - Part 1
                                                            7. Reaffirmation - Part 2
                                                            8. Reaffirmation - Part 3
                                                            9. Reaffirmation - Part 4
                                                            10. Jamaican Carnival - Part 1
                                                            11. Jamaican Carnival — Part 2
                                                            12. Black Man And Woman Of The Nile

                                                            Strut and Art Yard present the culmination of a 5-year project researching the archives of author, DJ and activist John Sinclair with the first ever retrospective of the influential Detroit Artists Workshop spanning 1965 to 1981.

                                                            “In the mid-‘60s, Detroit was nowhere,” explains Sinclair. “A decaying jazz scene, no community of poets, painters or writers so a group of young Detroit artists, most of us students at Wayne State University, got together in the late Summer of 1964.” Led by Sinclair and trumpeter Charles Moore, the Artists Workshop Society was formed as a co-operative community, drawing upon the resources of every participating individual in order to perpetuate itself. They began to provide spaces in Detroit for musicians to rehearse and to promote live concerts showcasing a range progressive jazz artists across the city.

                                                            Between the mid-‘60s and the early ‘80s, Sinclair amassed a huge archive of recordings from the Workshop concerts featuring Detroit residents like Moore’s Contemporary 5, Ron English and Lyman Woodard alongside many other US jazz luminaries including Donald Byrd, Sun Ra Arkestra and Herbie Hancock. Dormant in the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Brooklyn for many years, Strut and Art Yard began their research into the archives in 2017.

                                                            This first compilation of Detroit Artists Workshop is a revelation for any fan of jazz, featuring previously unreleased recordings by Byrd, Moore, English, Woodard, Bennie Maupin and Teddy Harris accompanied by extensive sleeve notes from John Sinclair, Robin Eichele and Herb Boyd. All tracks are remastered from the original tapes by Technology Works.

                                                            STAFF COMMENTS

                                                            Matt says: From percussive heavy tribal dancers and boppin' funk that'd make New Orleans take note; to spiritual jazz so deep it'll change your religion! A breath taking comp from the city which seems intrinsic in the story of the jazz. For some the sixties are its golden age and when listening to this double disc spectacular it's hard not to see why.

                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                            A1. John Sinclair Introduction / Yusef Lateef - Happy Ology
                                                            A2. Donald Byrd - Christo Redentor
                                                            A3. Donald Byrd - Blackjack
                                                            B1. Detroit Contemporary 4 - Effi
                                                            B2. Detroit Contemporary 4 - The Promise
                                                            B3. Detroit Contemporary 4 - Three Flowers (Cd Only)
                                                            C1. Bennie Maupin Quartet - Water Torture
                                                            C2. Ron English - Bees
                                                            D1. Teddy Harris - Passion Dance
                                                            D2. Lyman Woodard - Deja Vu
                                                            D3. Lyman Woodard Organisation - Help Me Get Away

                                                            Patrice Rushen

                                                            So Real: The Complete Elektra Recordings 1978-1984

                                                              The Patrice Rushen revival is in full swing with definitive reissues of her classic albums and a global Tik Tok dance craze around her best-loved hit, ‘Forget Me Nots’. Now, Strut present her complete Elektra recordings in one essential 5CD set on ‘So Real’.

                                                              After a series of acclaimed soul-jazz albums for prestige Records, Patrice came to Elektra as the label branched out from its trademark soft rock sound to hone a roster catering to the burgeoning “sophisticated R&B” audience during the late ‘70s, at the tail end of the disco boom. Pulling together a tight team of musicians and studio craftsmen that she had worked with and respected through writing and performing sessions in L.A., including her mentor Reggie Andrews and producer Charles Mims, Patrice combined intricate, punchy big band arrangements with her new role as lead vocalist on Patrice in 1978. The album set the template for a series of classic recordings, bringing soulful style and musicality to dancefloors. Pizzazz (1979) ushered in the huge club hit ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and classic tender ballad ‘Settle For My Love’, before Posh and the infectious single ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ a year later. Then in 1982, the landmark album Straight From The Heart and the worldwide crossover success of ‘Forget ME Nots’ following a self-funded PR campaign. Now ended her time with Elektra in 1984, a more stripped back, synth-led affair led by ‘Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go)’ and the reflective ‘To Each His Own’.

                                                              As well as through covers, samples and regular use in films, TV and ads (most famously in the film ‘Men In Black’ and on George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’), Patrice’s music has endured over the years as each new generation discovers her recordings. “So much of what happened with these records happened years after they had come out as people discovered them,” Patrice explains. “And that’s the biggest compliment of all, that the music is still being played. It’s kinda cool.”

                                                              ‘So Real’ features all five of Patrice’s Elektra albums in their expanded editions including 12” versions, instrumentals and unreleased takes from the original sessions. A 32-page booklet features complete lyrics and new interviews with Patrice and the set has been fully remastered by The Carvey from the original reel to reel tapes.

                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                              CD 1: ‘Patrice’ (1978)
                                                              1.Music Of The Earth
                                                              2. When I Found You
                                                              3. Changes (In Your Life)
                                                              4. Wishful Thinking
                                                              5. Let’s Sing A Song Of Love
                                                              6. Hang It Up
                                                              7. Cha-Cha
                                                              8. It’s Just A Natural Thing
                                                              9. Didn’t You Know?
                                                              10. Play!
                                                              11. Music Of The Earth (Danny Krivit Edit)
                                                              12. Hang It Up (12” Version)
                                                              13. Play! (12” Version)

                                                              14. Didn’t You Know? (Extended Version)

                                                              CD 2: ‘Pizzazz’ (1979)
                                                              1.Let The Music Take Me
                                                              2. Keepin’ Faith In Love
                                                              3. Settle For My Love
                                                              4. Message In The Music
                                                              5. Haven’t You Heard
                                                              6. Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up
                                                              7. Call On Me
                                                              8. Reprise (Message In The Music)
                                                              9. Haven’t You Heard (12” Version)
                                                              10. Let The Music Take Me (12” Version)
                                                              11. Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up (Instrumental Version)

                                                              CD 3: ‘Posh’ (1980)
                                                              1.Never Gonna Give You Up (Won’t Let You Be)
                                                              2. Don’t Blame Me
                                                              3. Look Up!
                                                              4. I Need Your Love
                                                              5. Time Will Tell
                                                              6. The Dream
                                                              7. The Funk Won’t Let You Down
                                                              8. This Is All I Really Know
                                                              9. Look Up! (12” Version)

                                                              CD 4: ‘Straight From The Heart’ (1982)
                                                              1.Forget Me Nots
                                                              2. I Was Tired Of Being Alone
                                                              3. All We Need
                                                              4. Number One (Instrumental)
                                                              5. Where There Is Love
                                                              6. Breakout
                                                              7. If Only
                                                              8. Remind Me
                                                              9. (She Will) Take You Down To Love
                                                              10. Forget Me Nots (12” Version)
                                                              11. Breakout (12” Version)
                                                              12. I Was Tired Of Being Alone (12” Version)
                                                              13. Number One (12” Version)

                                                              CD 5: ‘Now’ (1984)
                                                              1.Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go)
                                                              2. Gone With The Night
                                                              3. Gotta Find It
                                                              4. Superstar
                                                              5. Heartache Heartbreak
                                                              6. Get Off (You Fascinate Me)
                                                              7. My Love’s Not Going Anywhere
                                                              8 Perfect Love
                                                              9. High In Me
                                                              10. To Each His Own
                                                              11. Get Off (You Fascinate Me) (12” Version)
                                                              12. Get Off (You Fascinate Me) (Instrumental)
                                                              13. Feels So Real (Edit)
                                                              14. Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go) (Dub Version)

                                                              Strut revisit the early years of Patrice Rushen’s time with Elektra Records with the definitive 2LP edition of the ‘Patrice’album from 1978.

                                                              After a series of jazz funk albums on Prestige, Patrice moved to Elektra as the label tapped into the burgeoning sophisticated R&B  market at the tail end of the disco era. 'By this time, I had already made some great in-roads, made some great friends and picked up valuable knowledge which definitely paid off in terms of the music and the way the records sounded,' Patrice remembers. As a brilliant pianist, songwriter and arranger from a young age, Rushen was perfectly placed to bring the class and musicianship that the label needed and now also began to assume the role of lead vocalist for the first time. She enlisted the production prowess of high school friend Charles Mims, Jr. and long-time mentor Reggie Andrews.

                                                              Recorded at the newly opened Conway Studios in L.A., Patrice Rushen brought in heartfelt lyrics, vulnerability and messages of hope into her music for the first time on yearning tracks like "Didn’t You Know" and "When I Found You" alongside simply forgetting your troubles on the singles "Hang It Up" and "Play!". Clubs played an important part in the interest in her music. While her record label didn’t fully get behind her as an artist until the early ‘80s, influential club and black radio DJs consistently supported her and recognised Patrice as a unique talent. "Music Of The Earth" became an underground New York club favourite and Danny Krivit’s extended edit has endured in its own right, included here.

                                                              'So much of what happened with these records happened after they had come out, like years afterwards, as people discovered them,' reflects Patrice. 'but with this album, all of the things that I wanted to do were possible without limitation - the recording, the writing, the execution with the musicians, the production. Everything was, 'Okay, let’s do it.' And we did it.'

                                                              This definitive reissue of "Patrice" is released featuring bonus 12” versions of the album’s singles "Hang It Up!" and "Play", the popular Danny Krivit re-edit of "Music Of The Earth" and a previously unreleased version of "Didn’t You Know" from the original session tapes.

                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                              A1.Music Of The Earth
                                                              A2. When I Found You
                                                              A3. Changes (In Your Life)
                                                              A4. Wishful Thinking
                                                              A5. Let’s Sing A Song Of Love


                                                              B1. Hang It Up
                                                              B2. Cha-Cha
                                                              B3. It’s Just
                                                              B4. A Natural Thing
                                                              B5. Didn’t You Know?
                                                              B6. Play!

                                                              C1. Music Of The Earth (Danny Krivit Edit)
                                                              C2. Hang It Up (12” Version)

                                                              D1. Play! (12” Version)
                                                              D2. Didn’t You Know? (Extended Version)

                                                              Strut continue their Patrice Rushen original album reissue series with the definitive edition of her influential classic ‘Now’ from 1984.

                                                              Released after the global success of ‘Straight From The Heart’ and the huge hit ‘Forget Me Nots’, ‘Now’ stripped back the arrangements and explored a new sonic palette, combining top level musicianship with the evolving studio technology of the mid-‘80s. “By this time, I had built a little home studio,” explains Patrice, “and the new synthesizers and drum machines opened a lot of possibilities. A lot of the pieces on ‘Now’ started off as demos based on these instruments and we just went with it quite naturally, adding guitar, bass and drums.”

                                                              The album continued Patrice’s unerring skill in fusing intricate jazz musicianship with infectious grooves. The solid boogie classic ‘Get Off (You Fascinate Me)’ lit up dancefloors and ‘Feels So Real’ became one of Patrice’s best loved songs, an effortless mid-tempo soul stepper. The album is also celebrated for the tender ‘Gotta Find It’ and one of Patrice’s most poignant ballads, the intricate and politically charged ‘To Each His Own’.

                                                              The album marked the end of Rushen’s tenure with Elektra before a move to Arista and remains a much-referenced part of her career. “I think it was a great representation of where we were at the time and it may have been a little bit ahead of its time”, she reflects. Famously, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had become fans, attending her live shows, and, allegedly, the feel of Janet Jackson’s debut album ‘Control’ two years later was heavily influenced by Rushen’s approach on ‘Now’.

                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                              A1. Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go)
                                                              A2. Gone With The Night
                                                              A3. Gotta Find It
                                                              A4. Superstar
                                                              A5. Heartache Heartbreak

                                                              B1. Get Off (You Fascinate Me)
                                                              B2. My Love’s Not Going Anywhere
                                                              B3. Perfect Love
                                                              B4. High In Me
                                                              B5. To Each His Own

                                                              C1. Get Off (You Fascinate Me) (Dance Version)
                                                              C2. Get Off (You Fascinate Me) (Instrumental)

                                                              D1. Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go) (Radio Edit)
                                                              D2. Feels So Real (Won’t Let Go) (Dub Version)

                                                              Bennie Maupin & Adam Rudolph

                                                              Symphonic Tone Poem For Brother Yusef

                                                                Strut present an exclusive collaboration between two jazz greats, Bennie Maupin and Adam Rudolph, on ‘Symphonic Tone Poem For Brother Yusef’, originally commissioned by the Angel City Jazz festival in Claremont, to mark the late, great Yusef Lateef’s 100th birthday on 9th October, 2020.

                                                                The album weaves a magical, meditative path across five movements, combining electronics, saxophone, voices and Rudolph’s wide palette of percussion from hand drums to thumb pianos and gongs. “I learned so much from Yusef about intervals,” explains Rudolph. “Greats like Yusef, Ornette Coleman and Coltrane stopped using traditional harmonic forms and introduced systems of working with intervals. So, there was an intellectual process with this album, but mostly it was just intuitive. What I love about intuition is that it erases its own tracks behind it. On the 5th Movement of this album, I was working around a major seventh but 90% of what happened was instinctive. It is a unique moment; you can’t go back and recreate it.”

                                                                Both artists bring unparalleled experience to the project. Detroit’s Bennie Maupin is best known for his work with Miles Davis on Bitches Brew, Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters and Eddie Henderson. Chicago percussionist Adam Rudolph was Yusef Lateef’s percussionist for 20 years and has worked with many other jazz luminaries including Pharoah Sanders, Wadada Leo Smith and Don Cherry. His work with Mandingo Griot Society during the ‘70s and ‘80s and, more recently, leading Hu Vibrational and Go Organic Orchestra constantly break new ground in the use and context of percussion.
                                                                “Brother Yusef was a luminous being who continues to be an inspiration to so many of us,” continues Rudolph. “He was a great teacher, not only of music, but also of how to live as an artist and as a human being.”

                                                                ‘Symphonic Tone Poem For Brother Yusef’ is released on LP, CD and digital. The album is mastered by Technology Works and cover art is by Nancy Jackson, based on a Lateef saying, "Have you noticed the leaves waving to you? It's okay to wave back.”

                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                A1. First Movement
                                                                A2. Second Movement
                                                                A3. Third Movement (Part 1)
                                                                B1. Third Movement (Part 2)
                                                                B2. Fourth Movement
                                                                B3. Fifth Movemen

                                                                Flock

                                                                Flock

                                                                  Flock is a brand new collaboration between five leading musicians from London's open-minded jazz and experimental scenes: Bex Burch (Vula Viel), Sarathy Korwar, Dan "Danalogue" Leavers (Soccer96, The Comet Is Coming), Al MacSween (Maisha) and Tamar Osborn (Collocutor).

                                                                  The musicians were first brought together by drummer Sarathy Korwar during March 2020 for one of Boiler Room, Total Refreshment Centre and Night Dreamer’s more memorable streamed sessions from early lockdown. It caught the attention of Strut Records and the label presented an open offer for the musicians to create a new, completely freeform project.

                                                                  Gathering together at The Fish Factory in London Summer 2020, the approach was to try something fresh. "I wrote texts as scores for the session and the emphasis was on breathing and listening to each other", explains Bex Burch. "Improvisation is composition in itself, so although the music was freely improvised, we sometimes chose to stay on form and rhythm, repeating melodies and groove."

                                                                  Tracks include the pulsing, searching opener ‘Expand’, the taught soundscape ‘Prepare To Let Go’ and the frenetic, urgent ‘Bold Dream’. At times widescreen and cinematic and at others more tense and claustrophobic, each Flock piece explores its own colour and mood.

                                                                  "Every moment in this process has been a new journey into the unknown. Everyone came, breathed and brought openness of heart, ears, lungs and wings."

                                                                  Artwork is based on an exclusive new illustration piece by Muhammad Rofi Fatchurofi.

                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                  01 / A1. Expand
                                                                  02 / A2. Prepare To Let Go
                                                                  03 / A3. Sounds Welcome
                                                                  04 / B1. It’s Complicated
                                                                  05 / B2. What Purpose
                                                                  06 / C1. Murmuration
                                                                  07 / C2. Bold Dream
                                                                  08 / C3. My Resonance
                                                                  09 / D1. How Many Are One
                                                                  10 / D2. Fully Breathed

                                                                  Flora Purim

                                                                  If You Will

                                                                    One of the all-time greats of Brazilian jazz fusion, Flora Purim, returns with her first studio album in over 15 years.

                                                                    Conceived as a celebration of her music and collaborations, the album explores new compositions alongside fresh versions of Flora’s favourite personal songs and positive lyrics from across her varied career. Title track ‘If You Will’ reprises a song from her inspired collaborations with George Duke: “You will find... good love, real joy, so much peace of mind, if you will…”; the resilient ‘This Is Me’ updates an Airto jam band tune ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Myself Again’; ‘500 Miles High’ marks the heyday of the late Chick Corea’s Return To Forever band and ‘Zahuroo’ interprets a song by Claudia Villela about “a shapeshifting animal creature, a messenger who acts as a bridge between our thoughts and the universe.” A family affair recorded primarily in Curitiba and Sao Paulo, ‘If You Will’ brings together many of Flora’s closest circle of musicians including Airto Moreira, guitarist José Neto, her daughter Diana Purim on vocals and percussionist Celso Alberti. The album is the latest chapter in Flora’s long, illustrious and varied career. As well as her celebrated partnership with Airto and her early days with Quarteto Novo, Flora has worked with Stan Getz, Gil Evans, Miriam Makeba, George Duke, Chick Corea (as an original member of Return To Forever), Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra, Uruguayan band Opa and many more. Her solo albums on Milestone remain true jazz fusion classics.

                                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                                    LP
                                                                    A1. If You Will Feat. Diana Purim
                                                                    A2. This Is Me
                                                                    A3. 500 Miles High
                                                                    A4. A Flor Da Vida
                                                                    B1. Newspaper Girl
                                                                    B2. Dandara
                                                                    B3. Zahuroo
                                                                    B4. Lucidez

                                                                    CD
                                                                    1.If You Will Feat. Diana Purim
                                                                    2. This Is Me
                                                                    3. 500 Miles High
                                                                    4. A Flor Da Vida
                                                                    5. Newspaper Girl
                                                                    6. Dandara
                                                                    7. Zahuroo
                                                                    8. Dois + Dois = Tres
                                                                    9. Lucidez

                                                                    Various Artists

                                                                    Aloha Got Soul - Soul, AOR & Disco In Hawaii 1979 - 1985

                                                                      ‘Aloha Got Soul’ encompasses a vibrant era of contemporary music made in Hawai’i during the 1970s to the mid-1980s as jazz, rock, funk, disco and R&B co-existed alongside Hawaiian folk music. Hawai’i’s identity had undergone huge change: statehood into America in ‘59 and the Vietnam War were the backdrop as Hawai’i’s youth found inspiration in a new wave of international music led initially by The Beatles and Stones and, later, by US R&B bands like Earth Wind & Fire and Tower Of Power. Garage bands flourished during the ‘60s and, by the ‘70s, live music was at its peak.

                                                                      For the ‘70s generation of artists, some came through the talent contest ‘Home Grown’ and its accompanying compilation LP. Singer Nohelani Cypriano won it with her instant radio hit, ‘Lihue’. Other winning songs, like Marvin Franklin’s soul surfer jam ‘Kona Winds’, burned more slowly but have endured with DJs today. Many records also packed a powerful message. In 1978, Hawaiian was made the official state language and a huge movement arose to revive hula and traditional music. Steve & Teresa’s ‘Kaho’olawe Song’ longs for an island long gone: the US military had used Kaho’olawe as a bombing range since Pearl Harbor. Nohelani Cypriano sang about the once sleepy town of Kailua, now a popular tourist destination: “Kailua needs no high-rise with her blue skies, not for our eyes. Can you realize?” Leading Hawaiian artists like Aura, Mike Lundy and keyboardist Kirk Thompson’s Lemuria took time in high quality facilities like Broad Recording Studio to make albums. Others grabbed studio time when they could: Tender Leaf’s Murray Compoc worked for the city bus by day and recorded an album during night sessions. Other albums were spontaneous. In 1983, Steve Maii & Teresa Bright recorded an acoustic set in just 3 hours after being invited to a studio following a gig.

                                                                      For the artists of the ‘70s, the climate for music changed rapidly during the mid- ‘80s as DJ culture grew and live venues shut down. Hawai’i’s R&B era shone brightly and relatively briefly but, despite brilliant musicians, regular gigs and LP releases, most of the music barely made it to the mainland. Thanks largely to Aloha Got Soul’s Roger Bong, a new interest in this fertile era of Hawaiian music has grown, culminating in this new compilation of overlooked gems. ‘Aloha Got Soul’ is compiled and annotated by Bong and features rare photos and original artwork.


                                                                      TRACK LISTING

                                                                      1. Tender Leaf - Countryside Beauty
                                                                      2. Aura - Yesterday's Love
                                                                      3. Aina - Your Light
                                                                      4. Lemuria - Get That Happy Feeling (Instrumental)
                                                                      5. Roy & Roe - Just Don't Come Back
                                                                      6. Hawaii - Lady Of My Heart
                                                                      7. Hal Bradbury - Call Me
                                                                      8. Mike Lundy - Love One Another
                                                                      9. Nova - I Feel Like Getting Down
                                                                      10. Nohelani Cypriano - O'Kailua
                                                                      11. Brother Noland - Kawaihae
                                                                      12. Marvin Franklin With Kimo And The Guys - Kona Winds
                                                                      13. Greenwood - Sparkle
                                                                      14. Chucky Boy Chock & Mike Kaawa With Brown Co. - Papa'A Tita
                                                                      15. Steve & Teresa - Kaho'Olawe Song
                                                                      16. Rockwell Fukino - Coast To Coast.

                                                                      Sun Ra

                                                                      Lanquidity - 2021 Reissue

                                                                        Recorded in New York in the Summer of 1978 for Philly Jazz (who attempted to form the Ra-legion Cosmo-Fan Club!), this legendary (and previously ultra-rare) LP is maybe the closest Sunny ever got to a crossover album! That's not to say that the out-of-this-world arrangements have been toned down (far from it!), but you can hear the influence of disco and fusion on tracks like "Where Pathways Meet" and "That's How I Feel". It's had a few re-issues over the years, including an amazing deluxe version, which was enough to get my pants moistened, but now it has been reissued on vinyl with all original artwork, and some amazing liner notes in which they interview Bob Blank (the engineer), Michael Ray, Danny Thompson (Arkestra musicians) and Tom Buchler (from Philly Jazz) - I have well and truly soaked my trolleys!! Definitely one of the top five all-time greatest Sun Ra albums - if you've never bought one before, I reckon that this is the perfect introduction to THE GENIUS OF SUN RA!!!

                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                        A1. Lanquidity
                                                                        A2. Where Pathways Meet
                                                                        A3. That’s How I Feel
                                                                        B1. Twin Stars Of Thence
                                                                        B2. There Are Other World (They Have Not Told You Of)

                                                                        Theatre West

                                                                        Bow To The People

                                                                        Strut presents one of the most in-demand and significant albums from the archives of Jimmy Gray’s Black Fire Records, ‘Bow To The People’ (1976) by theatre collective Theatre West, based out of Dayton, Ohio.

                                                                        Founder Clarence Young III was a US Air Force Vietnam Vet who had been part of a theatrical troupe entertaining soldiers in 15 countries during his tour. When he returned home in 1969, he started Theatre West in Dayton, Ohio as an outlet for inner city youth to come together and express themselves. At its height, the company involved around 27 members. “Everybody played everything and did everything,” recalls bassist Sigmond Dillard. “We all had to sing, dance and act all the time. If someone messed up, you came in. It was a tight unit and we were constantly helping each other out.”

                                                                        “There were so many talented and gifted people in our troupe,” continues Dillard. “Rita Brown went on to New York, starring in the film Disco Godfather during the late ‘70s. Bruce Davis went on to work regularly on Broadway in Chicago, All That Jazz and more. Our Musical Director was Delbert Taylor and he also played with Gil Scott Heron’s Midnight Band and with Slave afterwards in the early ‘80s. Vibes player Ben Wilson and I also played regularly with Gil.”

                                                                        Recorded at Arrest studios in Washington in ’76, ‘Bow To The People’ brought together songs from several of Theatre West’s best known plays including Bow To The People, The System and Black Love and unflinchingly explored serious issues around drug addiction, mental health and cultural awareness. “The whole idea of Bow To The People was to honour our black forefathers,” explains Dillard. “It was important to do that for the kids that didn’t know.”

                                                                        Shelved following the original recording, the Bow To The People album eventually surfaced on a limited CD on Black Fire in 1993. Now receiving its first full international release, the album features the previously unreleased tracks ‘Man Of Many Means’ and ‘I Don’t Know Much About Love’.

                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                        LP
                                                                        A1 Searching For Ourselves
                                                                        A2. Crossroads
                                                                        A3. Bow To The People
                                                                        A4. One Little Chance
                                                                        B1. Children Of Tomorrow's Dreams
                                                                        B2. Black Love
                                                                        B3. Big Brother
                                                                        C1. No More Junk
                                                                        C2. Della Get Down
                                                                        C3. I Am A Woman
                                                                        C4. I Really Like It
                                                                        D1. Puppet
                                                                        D2. Man Of Many Means (Previously Unreleased)
                                                                        D3. Cool Out Your Mind

                                                                        CD
                                                                        1. Searching For Ourselves
                                                                        2. Crossroads
                                                                        3. Bow To The People
                                                                        4. Black Love
                                                                        5. One Little Chance
                                                                        6. Big Brother
                                                                        7. Children Of Tomorrow's Dreams
                                                                        8. No More Junk
                                                                        9. Della Get Down
                                                                        10.I Am A Woman
                                                                        11. I Really Like It
                                                                        12. Puppet
                                                                        13. Cool Out Your Mind
                                                                        14. Man Of Many Means (Previously Unreleased)
                                                                        15. I Don't Know Much About Love (Previously Unreleased)

                                                                        Strut present the definitive edition of Patrice Rushen’s landmark album from 1982, ‘Straight From The Heart’. Recorded during Elektra’s drive for ‘sophisticated dance music’ as many jazz artists created their own arrangements of disco and boogie, the sessions marked a progression for Patrice as she began exploring sonics as much as songwriting. “I was looking at different ways to experiment with the sounds on my records. Synths widened the palette available to us.”

                                                                        Singles from the album included ‘Breakout!’, ‘Number One’ and the global hit ‘Forget Me Nots’. “Bassist Freddie Washington played the bassline during a jam at my family’s house. I caught it, we kept messing around with the groove, then I developed the lyrics and chorus. It was just about recognising that moment when it came up.”

                                                                        “When I delivered the album to the label, the A&R said, ‘we don’t like anything on here.’ I realised quickly that they would give us no support so producer Charles Mims, myself and Freddie decided to engage a promotion company ourselves to start working the single. Although it took a while to pick up support, it paid off.” The single hit no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1982 and the album became Patrice’s best seller globally from her time with Elektra / Asylum, securing a Grammy nomination. In more recent years, the album has become a regular source for samples in the world of hip hop and R&B. Most famously, Will Smith’s theme for the film ‘Men In Black’ and George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’ were both based, to varying degrees, on ‘Forget Me Nots’.

                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                        1. Forget Me Nots
                                                                        2. I Was Tired Of Being Alone
                                                                        3. All We Need
                                                                        4. Number One (Instrumental)
                                                                        5. Where There Is Love
                                                                        6. Breakout!
                                                                        7. If Only
                                                                        8. Remind Me
                                                                        9. (She Will) Take You Down For Love
                                                                        10. Forget Me Nots (12” Version)
                                                                        11. Breakout! (12” Version)
                                                                        12. I Was Tired Of Being Alone (12” Version: F. Byron Clark Remix)
                                                                        13. Number One (Instrumental) (12” Version)

                                                                        Strut presents the first full international release for another lost classic from the Black Fire Records archives, ‘Southern Energy’, the only album recorded by R’n’B and jazz collective Southern Energy Ensemble in 1977.

                                                                        Trumpeter Marvin Daniels had been drafted into the US army in Germany during the mid-‘70s, playing in the military touring band 100% Pure Poison. Upon returning to Virginia State College, he met up with an old friend, saxophonist Al Clarke, and they began to form a new band, pulling together various students from the University including Nat Lee (keys), William “Spike” Johnson (drums and percussion) and Adolphus “Peddie” Maples (percussion and vocals). “As Southern Energy, we started playing the chitlin R’n’B circuit and ended up gigging most weekends at clubs, universities and military bases in Virginia and North and South Carolina,” remembers Daniels.

                                                                        After meeting Plunky Branch and Black Fire Records MD and producer, Jimmy Gray at a JuJu gig in Richmond, Virginia, Gray signed the band and they recorded some high energy sessions during 1977. “Southern Energy was tight,” continues Daniels. “We had great musicians and great vocalists in Judy Spears and Garrie Wayne, both vocal majors from Virginia State College. The album was all about positive messages and celebrating real people.” Tracks include the storming dancefloor jazz workout ‘Third House’, the optimistic ballad ‘Looking Ahead’ and the extended funk anthem ‘F-U-N-K-Y ‘Til The Day I Die’.

                                                                        The band would break up soon after the members left college. Daniels moved to Philadelphia to work with Evelyn “Champagne” King in 1978 before co-founding Chops horns who would go on to become one of the most in-demand US session units of the ‘80s, working with Sugarhill Gang, The Police, The Rolling Stones and more. Maples would go on to play on sessions for Oneness Of Juju.

                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                        01. Open Your Mind
                                                                        02. F-U-N-K-Y ‘Til The Day I Die
                                                                        03. Third House
                                                                        04. See Funk
                                                                        05. Looking Ahead
                                                                        06. Energy
                                                                        07. The Best Part Of Me Southern Energy

                                                                        Sun Ra

                                                                        Lanquidity (Deluxe Edition)

                                                                          Strut present the definitive edition of Sun Ra’s classic ‘Lanquidity’ album from 1978 with brand new 4LP box set and 2CD editions.

                                                                          Recorded overnight at Bob Bank’s Blank Tapes on 17th July 1978 after the Arkestra had appeared on Saturday Night Live, the album is unique in the Ra catalogue. “Most critics felt that it was more of a fusion-inspired record,” explains Michael Ray. “As the name suggests, the album is liquid and languid.” Bob Blank continues, “Musically, it was very ad hoc and freeform. There were horn charts but most tracks came out of improvised jams. Sun Ra just did his thing.”

                                                                          Comprising five effortlessly fluid pieces, the album eases in with Lanquidity. Danny Ray Thompson remembers, “This was one of Sun Ra’s on-the-spot compositions. It is almost like an Ancient Egyptian Stargazing Ceremony, mapping out the stars and the planets.” Where Pathways Meet is “Sun Ra’s funky version of an Egyptian march. Pharaoh is sending his troops off to fight and this is his pep-talk!” continues Thompson. “The music seems to take different pathways but still converges.” The loping groove of That’s How I Feel, features the reflective trumpet lines of Eddie Gale with solos by John Gilmore and Marshall Allen: “Marshall comes in with that snake charming oboe.” Says Thompson. The funky Twin Stars Of Thence weaves around Richard Williams celebrated elastic bassline while the haunting closer, There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of), is pure “space music.” The poet Mama Nzinga described it as ‘The essence of light. Spirit takes a ride inside the deep dark space of just being.”

                                                                          The new box set edition of ‘Lanquidity’ features the widely distributed version of the album alongside alternative mixes by Bob Blank originally released in limited quantities for a 1978 Arkestra gig at Georgia Tech. Both versions of the album are cut loud at 45 rpm over 2LPs each.

                                                                          Housed in a silver foil box, both LP sets reflect the original Phlly Jazz artwork. The first comes in a foil / magenta sleeve while the second features 2 x yellow A4 sheets pasted onto a white sleeve. Also included is a 12-page over-sized booklet featuring unseen photos by Veryl Oakland and liner notes by Tom Buchler (Philly Jazz), Michael Ray and Danny Ray Thompson (Sun Ra Arkestra) and Bob Blank.

                                                                          The 2CD version is housed in a foil digipak.

                                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                                          4LP TRACKLISTING:
                                                                          A1. Lanquidity
                                                                          B1. Where Pathways Meet
                                                                          B2. That’s How I Feel
                                                                          C1. Twin Stars Of Thence
                                                                          D1. There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of)
                                                                          E1. Lanquidity (Alternate Version)
                                                                          E2. Where Pathways Meet (Alternate Version)
                                                                          F1. That’s How I Feel (Alternate Version)
                                                                          G1. Twin Stars Of Thence (Alternate Version)
                                                                          H1. There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of) (Alternate Version)

                                                                          2CD TRACKLISTING:
                                                                          CD 1
                                                                          1. Lanquidity
                                                                          2. Where Pathways Meet
                                                                          3. That’s How I Feel
                                                                          4. Twin Stars Of Thence
                                                                          5. There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of)
                                                                          CD 2
                                                                          1. Lanquidity (Alternate Version)
                                                                          2. Where Pathways Meet (Alternate Version)
                                                                          3. That’s How I Feel (Alternate Version)
                                                                          4. Twin Stars Of Thence (Alternate Version)
                                                                          5. There Are Other Worlds (They Have Not Told You Of) (Alternate Version)

                                                                          Sun Ra

                                                                          Nidhamu

                                                                            In the years leading up to 1971, Sun Ra wrote many compositions and poems specifically inspired by the ancient African Kingdoms and many others with associated mythological and heliocentric connotations. As such, a visit to Egypt and the opportunity for the Arkestra to play there was a matter of necessity. Ra’s first ever concerts outside of the US had occurred in late summer and autumn of 1970 with performances in France, Germany and the UK and a second European tour was arranged for late 1971. At the end of that second tour, Ra caught wind of cheap flights from Denmark to Cairo.

                                                                            This release comprises recordings made by Arkestra member Thomas “Bugs” Hunter made in December 1971 in the streets around the Mena House Hotel, Giza, from a concert held at the house of Goethe Institute ex-pat Hartmut Geerken in Heliopolis, from a live Cairo TV channel broadcast and a concert at the Ballon Theatre in Cairo.

                                                                            The impact and significance of these few weeks upon Sun Ra can be measured by the growth and development of his output over the next few years; the immediate post-Egypt period included new studio and live recordings on the Saturn, Blue Thumb, Atlantic and Impulse labels and the ‘Space Is The Place’ movie. Ra also edited the three LPs of the ‘Live In Egypt’ series which were subsequently released on his Saturn record label and its affiliated twin, Thoth Intergalactic: ‘Dark Myth Equation Visitation’, ‘Nidhamu’ and ‘Horizon’.


                                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                                            A1. Space Loneliness No. 2
                                                                            A2. Discipline No. 11
                                                                            A3. Discipline No. 15
                                                                            B1. Nidhamu

                                                                            Greg Foat

                                                                            Symphonie Pacifique

                                                                              Foat has become a versatile mainstay in UK jazz through an acclaimed series of albums on Jazzman and Athens Of The North, moving from soul-jazz workouts to library music to cinematic, haunting compositions and pastoral acid folk. ‘Symphonie Pacifique’ goes expansive and widescreen, building a lush soundscape using choral textures, harp and tubular bells on the atmospheric ‘After The Storm’ alongside sensual groove-based tracks like the undulating ‘Anticipation’, the album title track and Groove Merchant-channelling ‘Nikinakinu’, all driven by Phil Achille on bass, Eric Young on congas and Moses Boyd’s crisp, flowing breakbeats. Other tracks include a moving tribute to KPM library legend Duncan Lamont on the reflective ‘Lament For Lamont’ and the languid, simmering ‘Island Life’.

                                                                              The album is a truly international collaboration, recorded analogue and produced by Greg Foat at London’s Fish Factory studios with strings recorded in Edinburgh and choir in Gothenburg. The album was mixed by Mattias Glava at Kungsten Studios in Gothenburg. Cover artwork is based on a painting by early 20th Century Algerian / Parisian artist Henry Valensi.

                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                              Barry says: Greg Foat has always had a firm place on the shop stereo, and 'Symphonie Pacifique' cements that likelihood with a swaying, filmic mash-up of syncopated hooks, frenetic percussion and effortless, jazzy cool. As perfectly redolent of the genre's past as it is it's future.

                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                              A1. Prelude
                                                                              A2. Symphonie Pacifique
                                                                              A3. Undulation
                                                                              A4. Anticipation
                                                                              A5. Mu
                                                                              A6. Yonaguni
                                                                              B1. Island Life
                                                                              B2. Nikinakinu
                                                                              B3. Man Vs. Machine
                                                                              C1. Before The Storm
                                                                              C2. After The Storm
                                                                              C3. Meditation On A Pedal Steel
                                                                              C4. Lament For Lamont
                                                                              D1. Pointe-Vénus
                                                                              D2. Mother’S Love
                                                                              D3. Epilogue: Three Tenors

                                                                              Strut and Art Yard present the first compilation bringing together the modern era recordings of Tribe, Detroit’s acclaimed independent jazz collective.Tribe began as a musical ensemble in 1971 co-founded by Saxophonist Wendell Harrison and trombonist Phil Ranelin that soon expanded into a broad amalgam including a live collective and independent record label. Ignored by the mainstream, many African American jazz artists in Detroit and across the US began creating their own small imprints and Tribe emerged alongside other cultural entities to express selfdetermination goals in the city: saxophonist Ernie Rodgers with his sessions at Rapa House; John and Leni Sinclair’s Artist Workshop; Bruce Millan’s Repertory Theater; the Hastings Jazz Experience and the Strata Corporation led by Kenny Cox. Harrison’s ideas of independence, self-determination and education were central to the Tribe ethos: “I might be possessed with a drive to get the knowledge out,” explained Harrison, “because I see this as sustaining the future of the jazz diaspora, the jazz tradition.” Tribe album releases like Harrison’s ‘An Evening With The Devil’ (1972) and Harrison and Ranelin’s ‘A Message From The Tribe’ (1973) became early ‘70s milestones in Detroit jazz.

                                                                              In 1977, Harrison teamed up with pianist/composer Harold McKinney to form Rebirth Inc., aided by Detroit cultural warrior John Sinclair, a continuation of the Tribe community ethos. Musically, it formed a link with radio station WDET and began an outreach program to teach children and to publish Harrison’s jazz instruction books. Harrison continue to record extensively as a leader with his own labels, WenHa and Tribe, documenting the collective through sessions led by Phil Ranelin, Harold McKinney, Pamela Wise and more.

                                                                              The ‘Hometown’ compilation places the spotlight on this later era of Tribe and Rebirth Inc., with rare and previously unreleased recordings from Harrison’s WenHa / Rebirth Studios and the SereNgeti Gallery And Cultural Center. Among many highlights, Harold McKinney and his “McKinfolk” family of musicians contribute the pulsing ‘Wide And Blue’ and dance celebration ‘Juba’; Phil Ranelin re-works his classic ‘He The One We All Knew’; Poet Mbiyu Chui (Williams Moore), pianist Pamela Wise and percussionist Djallo Djakate spark on the uncompromising ‘Ode To Black Mothers’ and the rallying cry of ‘Marcus Garvey’: “If we ever get together we will astound the world.” Harrison himself evokes the power and majesty of juju on ‘Conjure Man’.


                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                              LP
                                                                              A1. Wide And Blue
                                                                              A2. Freddie’S Groove
                                                                              B1. Juba
                                                                              B2. Ode To Black Mothers
                                                                              B3. Conjure Man
                                                                              C1. Libra Ahora
                                                                              C2. Hometown
                                                                              D1. He The One We All Knew
                                                                              D2. Marcus Garvey
                                                                              D3. The Slave Ship Enterprise

                                                                              CD
                                                                              1. Wide And Blue
                                                                              2. Freddie’S Groove
                                                                              3. Ode To Black Mothers
                                                                              4. Juba
                                                                              5. Libra Ahora
                                                                              6. Conjure Man
                                                                              7. Marcus Garvey
                                                                              8. Hometown
                                                                              9. He The One We All Knew
                                                                              10. The Slave Ship Enterprise

                                                                              Patrice Rushen

                                                                              Remind Me - The Classic Elektra Recordings 1976-1984

                                                                              Strut present the first definitive retrospective of an icon of 1970s and ‘80s soul, jazz and disco, Patrice Rushen, covering her peerless 6-year career with Elektra / Asylum from 1978 to 1984. Joining Elektra after three albums with jazz label Prestige, Patrice had shown prodigious talent at an early age and had first broken through after winning a competition to perform at the Monterrey Jazz Festival of 1972. By the time of the recordings on this collection, she had become a prolific and in-demand session musician and arranger on the West coast, appearing on over 80 recordings for other artists. She joined the Elektra / Asylum roster in 1978 as they launched a pop / jazz division alongside visionaries like Donald Byrd and Grover Washington, Jr. “The idea was to create music that was good for commercial radio / R&B,” Patrice explains. “We were all making sophisticated dance music, essentially.”

                                                                              Drawing on some of the leading musicians in L.A. like saxophonist Gerald Albright, drummer “Ndugu” Chancler and bassman Freddie Washington and keeping an open minded approach from her training in classical, jazz and soundtrack scores, Patrice’s music was a different, more intricate proposition to many of the soul artists of the time. “L.A. musicians were not so locked into tradition,” she continues. “None of us were accustomed to limitation and the record label left us to take our own direction.”

                                                                              Early classics like ‘Music Of The Earth’ and ‘Let’s Sing A Song Of Love’ were among Patrice’s first as a lead vocalist before her ‘Pizzazz’ album landed in 1979, featuring the unique disco of ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and one of her greatest ballads, ‘Settle For My Love’. “Although ballads make you feel more vulnerable as an artist because they are often personal, I think listeners relate to that sincerity,” she reflects. By now, Patrice’s records were supremely arranged and produced as her confidence as an all-round writer, producer, arranger and performer grew. Slick dancefloor anthem ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and the ‘Posh’ album in 1980 led to her landmark album ‘Straight From The Heart’ two years later. Receiving little support from her label, Patrice and her production team personally funded a promo campaign for the first single from it, ‘Forget Me Nots’. It went on to peak at no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album was later Grammy-nominated, while the track became a timeless anthem and popular sample, inspiring Will Smith’s theme for the film ‘Men In Black’ and George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’.

                                                                              Patrice’s final album for Elektra, ‘Now’ kept the bar high with sparse, synth-led songs including ‘Feel So Real’ and ‘To Each His Own’. It concluded a golden era creatively for Patrice which remains revered by soul and disco aficionados the world over. ‘Remind Me’ features all of Patrice Rushen’s chart singles, 12” versions and popular sample sources on one album for the first time.


                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                              Patrick says: Strut have put together an essential collection of Patrice Rushen's finest moments on CD and a triple vinyl. Cool boogie, mellow soul, classy jazz-funk and killer disco, all topped with her gorgeous voice.

                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                              LP
                                                                              A1. Music Of The Earth
                                                                              A2. Let’S Sing A Song Of Love
                                                                              A3. When I Found You
                                                                              B1. Haven’t You Heard (12” Version)
                                                                              B2. Givin’ It Up Is Givin’ Up With DJ Rogers
                                                                              C1. Forget Me Nots (12” Version)
                                                                              C2. Look Up! (Long Version)
                                                                              C3. Where There Is Love
                                                                              D1. Never Gonna Give You Up (Won’t Let You Be) (Long Version)
                                                                              D2. Number One (12” Version)
                                                                              E1. All We Need
                                                                              E2 Remind Me (LP Version)
                                                                              E3. Settle For My Love
                                                                              F1. Feels So Real (Won’T Let Go) (12” Version)
                                                                              F2. To Each His Own

                                                                              CD
                                                                              Same Track List, Different Sequence. 

                                                                              Various Artists

                                                                              Disco Not Disco

                                                                                THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2019 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

                                                                                “Strut Records were there first, well before DFA recorded The Rapture’s Sub Pop debut. ‘Disco Not Disco’ preceded the punk funk revolution by two years.” - Resident Advisor For Record Store Day 2019, Strut present the first ever repress since 2000 of the influential first volume of ‘Disco Not Disco’ compiled by Joey Negro and Sean P as part of the label’s 20th Anniversary. ‘Disco Not Disco’ was a perfectly timed compilation back in 2000. Released when interest in the myths, history and playlists of original New York clubs like Paradise Garage and The Loft was at its peak, the album drew on the outer limits of leftfield disco championed by Levan and Mancuso, bringing together unlikely dancefloor anthems by rock acts like Yoko Ono and Ian Dury, obscurities from cottage labels like BC and Splash and selected oddities from the unique mind of avant-garde hero, Arthur Russell. It was essentially a celebration of the sonic melting pot in New York during the early ‘80s, an era when punk had burnt itself out and disco had become commercial and saccharine; in its place, the post-punk movement threw up brilliant oddities which tore up the accepted rulebook. Since its release, the compilation title has become a by-word for a whole genre of music and remains a landmark collection of its time. With original copies now changing hands for €100+, this new pressing is a welcome return for an essential celebration of disco’s difficult cousins. The album features full original artwork and Kris Needs’ sleeve notes and is remastered and cut by The Carvery. • First volume of the seminal compilation series repressed for the first time since 2000 for Record Store Day • Album title became known as a style of music in its own right, when rock bands and experimental NY artists aimed at the dancefloor • Major influence on the punk funk bands and labels of early 2000s including DFA • Album remastered by The Carvery and featuring full original artwork and sleeve notes by Kris Needs

                                                                                Strut present an exclusive new reissue of a great (and now very rare) original album from the early career of Nigerian juju star Shina Peters, ‘Sewele’ from 1986.

                                                                                “‘Sewele’ represented a time of transition in my music career,” explains Peters. “I had branched out to start as a solo artist after spells with Ebenezer Obey, Prince Adekunle and Segun Adewale and I was trying to find my own voice and to play juju in a more progressive direction. This was an important time for me. Three years later, I had honed that sound into AfroJuju, and my ‘Ace: Afro Juju Series 1’ album broke me as an artist.

                                                                                On ‘Sewele’, Peters explores different themes on four extended juju workouts, showcasing his incredible guitar work and his sense of fun as the odd Bob Marley and Abba riff pops up in the grooves. The title track means ‘shower of blessings’: “it’s like a prayer for my fans throughout Nigeria and the diaspora.” The funky Afrobeat of ‘Yabis’ is about being proud to be African and not to follow American ways and ‘Agbe’ere De’ states proudly that Peters is coming again with something different: “I always wanted to get the message across to my fans that I was keeping things fresh and creating melodies and music that people would enjoy.” The final track, ‘Late Aboderin’, is a moving tribute to Peters’ mentor, the late Chief Aboderin: “He helped me in many ways including legal aid in a court case against a record label. He also bought a van to carry the band to concerts.


                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                A1. Sewele
                                                                                A2. Yabis
                                                                                B1. Agbe’Ere De
                                                                                B2. Late Aboderin

                                                                                Various Artists

                                                                                Trevor Jackson Presents Metal Dance 2

                                                                                Trevor Jackson (Playgroup / Underdog / Output Recordings) returns with the eagerly awaited second instalment of his 'Metal Dance' compilation series, following widespread critical acclaim in the wake of 'Volume 1'. Drawing from Jackson’s deep collection of original industrial, post-punk, EBM and new wave, the album is an inspired mix of sounds and styles, mining classics, dub versions, oddities and secret weapons inspired by his formative clubbing years at many of London's seminal nightlife haunts.

                                                                                Alongside more familiar names like Visage, Chris & Cosey, Front 242 and Ministry, the compilation includes unexpected outings by 80s artists Godley & Crème (with the obscure B-side "Babies") and an early incarnation of Sheffield’s ABC, Visa Versa, with "Riot Squad". As before, Jackson also places the spotlight onsome of the less heralded bands of the time and casts the net far and wide: Germany’s Plus Instruments, Spain’s Diseno Corbusier offshoot Esplendor Geometrico, Italy’s Neon and Yellow Magic Orchestra’s Haruomi Hosono out of Japan all feature. The selection even travels as far as Lebanon for the outrageous "Tanki Tanki" by Rene Bandaly Family, a truly one-off slice of intense political Arabic proto-techno (here re-edited by fellow Lebanese artist Rabih Beaini aka Morphosis). Rarities include tracks from pre-Liaisons Dangereuses / DAF group CHBB, Craig Leon & Arthur Brown, and Trevor's own re-edit of Rusty Egan’s "Twilight Zone," all receiving their first official release on CD.

                                                                                'Metal Dance 2' is another essential selection of anarchic machine music which remains hugely influential on today’s generation, informing the sound of groups and labels such as The Knife, Factory Floor, Gesaffelstein, COMEME, DFA and L.I.E.S.

                                                                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                Patrick says: Mega selection of synthwave bangers, Industrial rumblers and skewed EDM cuts plucked from the archives by Trevor Jackson. If you're tuned into the likes of Bahnsteig 23, LIES and Macadam Mambo, you need to cop this disc.

                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                A1. Logic System - Unit
                                                                                A2. Psyche - The Saint Became A Lush
                                                                                A3. Skinny Puppy - Dead Lines (400 Blows Remix)
                                                                                B1. Visage - Der Amboss (Extended Version)
                                                                                B2. Rusty Egan - The Twilight Zone (Trevor Jackson Edit)
                                                                                B3. Rene Bandaly Family - Tanki Tanki (Rabih Beaini Edit)
                                                                                C1. Ministry - Over The Shoulder (12" Version)
                                                                                C2. Mile High Club - Walking Backwards
                                                                                C3. CHBB - Ima Iki-Mashoo
                                                                                C4. Esplendor Geométrico - Necrosis En La Poya
                                                                                D1. Vice Versa - Riot Squad
                                                                                D2. Crash Course In Science - Jump Over Barrels
                                                                                D3. Haruomi Hosono - Platonic
                                                                                D4. Godley & Creme - Babies
                                                                                D5. Front 242 - Body 2 Body (2 Trax)

                                                                                Amp Fiddler & Sly & Robbie

                                                                                Inspiration Information

                                                                                Strut launch a new series, "Inspiration Information", which sees the label take a break from their usual (excellent) compilations, and come up with a series of studio-based works instead. The series brings together current artists and producers with their musical heroes for a mouth-watering one-off collaboration. With each album centred around an intensive five-day writing and recording session, the emphasis is on spontaneity, musicianship and an open A&R brief. The series kicks off with Detroit soul maverick Amp Fiddler in a head-to-head collision with reggae legends, Sly & Robbie. Arriving at Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, armed only with a handful of acoustic vocal ideas, Amp and the Riddim Twins recorded the album in just three days during June with overdubs laid down a week later in Detroit. The result is a confident, laid back set that brings a whole new twist to Amp's trademark vocal style: Sly builds innovative digital and live rhythms, Robbie underpins the tracks with solid bass foundations and original generation guests 'Sticky' Thompson (percussion) and Dalton Browne (guitar) add plenty of colour. Back in Detroit, Amp knitted together the finishing touches, adding extra keys and backing vocals. The tracks are never predictable, at times echoing Sly & Robbie's 80s days with Island Records at Compass Point studios, at others structured around more mood-based keyboard pads and new patterns re-inventing the established dancehall template.


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